We Won't Apologize for Party Rockin'

Technically, Redfoo and Sky Blu are Motowners (duh, just ask Berry Gordy) – they're not shy about repping that, either. And after Wednesday night's LMFAO party at the Palace, we don't have a problem claiming them. And when you bring the real party, we have even less of a problem calling you native sons. D-Days was treated to giant pink bears, hot dog costumes, beach balls, streamers, palm trees, inflatable zebras and glow EVERYTHING during their bash last week. And yes, we heard all the hits – from "Shots" to "Sexy and I Know It."

Kickin' It Off

We helped celebrate (in spirit) the declaration of Detroit Techno Week by hitting up a few festive events last Thursday. First, we headed down to Opus One for the Movement 2012 Opening Reception. The only thing we love more than grabbing drinks and great food at a stellar joint is rubbing elbows with some of Detroit's nicest personalities. Joe Bellanca, birthday boy Joe Choma and fiancée Elissa Amori, Howard Hertz, James Canning, Jason Huvaere and our new dessert-table-BFF Lucinda Treat were all graced with our presence as we threw back a few drinks and gobbled some awesome pork sliders (although, to be honest, we got a little excited and perhaps some food incidentally ended up on the floor – sorry, guys!). Then it was off to take in a very special performance by Carl Craig at the Detroit Historical Museum, honoring the influential and pioneering EDM artists of Detroit. Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, Eddie Fowlkes and Mr. Craig all cast their handprints in cement to help define and kick off what will be a new expansion and renovation to the museum, with part of the experience to honor the culture that is so undeniably Detroit.

Just White, No Stripes

D-Days swung by the Masonic Temple this past Thursday for not one, but two, performances by hometown hotshot guitar-slinger Jack White. White performed both an evening show and a matinee. The day marked White's first Detroit appearances as a solo act, but although White's was the only name on the bill this time, he still had a muscular band behind him (featuring Ann Arbor's Dominic Davis on bass) for the early show, which was opened by our own Duane Goes Pop. White and the band played a number of tunes off White's moody new album, as well as a few White Stripes songs that just sounded...cleaner. "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground" was more piano-based and "We're Going To Be Friends" sported a country tinge, courtesy of some added pedal steel. The overall effect was of a Jack who's grown a bit beyond his stripped-back, garage-rock youth. That's not to say he's completely settled down, though; a blistering take on "Ball and Biscuit" was just like old times. The evening show, however, featured a little more throwback material – and an all-female backing band! Opening with "Sixteen Saltines" from the new album, the crowd (despite being pumped as if this was the biggest musical outing of the year) was yearning for more White Stripes material. Well, Jack certainly didn't disappoint. He blazed through "Hotel Yorba" and a host of other Stripes hits, with his encore performance of "Seven Nation Army" almost (literally) bringing the house down – remember, this is one OLD building! The other wicked cool thing we witnessed? Let's just say we can't remember the last time we saw Bob Seger rockin' out that hard while not on stage himself!

"House" Might be an Understatement

D-Days swung through the Red Bull House of Art in Eastern Market last Thursday night for the opening evening of a surreal experience that only Red Bull could provide. The art was extremely diverse and mind-numbing (or maybe it was those six free energy drinks we downed?), the DJ sets were tight, the catacomb-esque facility was super cool and we mingled and chatted it up with some of our favorite folks. We made it just in time to check everything out before the joint closed for the evening, but we were still able to hobnob with some of our favorite DJs (Erno the Inferno, Joe Vargas and Steven Robert of Tour Detroit) and rockstars (Christian Doble and Alicia Gbur of FAWN).

What's the Curren$y, Kenneth?

It was all about the Curren$y with urgency at St. Andrew's Hall last Thursday night. The New Orleans MC graced the crowd with a two-hour, sweat-filled ride through most of his massive catalog (and then some). Touring with his own Jet Life crew, they passed the microphone – and rolling papers – and demonstrated why many believe them to be the future of hip-hop. We laughed later, wondering if he had a collection of microphones on the bus that venues forget to get back?

One Red Eye

One-Eyed Betty's in Ferndale is your new sweet spot if you're looking for beer selection. They have about 45 selections on draft, and you can create your own flights too. We tried plenty of new things when we were there last Wednesday – and even found some new favorites (the whiskey selection is huge as well). We had ourselves some awesome grub and dessert (of course), which is a huge bonus at Betty's because they offer Ferndale's own Treat Dreams Butterbeer ice cream! It's a great place to try new things and see an interesting crew of people – two things D-Days is all about. Then we popped across the street to the Grasshopper to see Sergio Santos spinning some killer house music as part of their weekly Stimulus party. People were dancing and having a great time (ourselves included, of course). The drinks are cheap and the crowd is eclectic. What a good way to kick off Movement weekend! | RDW