To quote the powerful Canadian band Loverboy: “Everybody’s working for the weekend.” That felt good; anyone have a red head-band I can borrow over the next few days where it seems around ever turn something hot is p-p-p-poppin’? Starting tonight with Encore! Whoop-whoop. Enough small talk (alright, the term "talk" is being used too loosely) – I gotta get out of the office and into a bottle of liquor (and possibly a rock ‘n’ roll fashion show model…wait a second, that's so unprofessional)!
Friday, Aug. 29
Encore
What: Yes, metro Detroit: The second huge production in Metromix Detroit’s young five-month life is here and it is gonna be bananas. Partnering up with our friends at 89X, the Crofoot Ballroom and the producers of the Chrysler Arts, Beats & Eats, the night is full of hip rock bands (The Hard Lessons, Prussia, Millions of Brazilians, Our Brother the Megazord, more), DJs, a fashion show featuring styles by Regenerations and the usual Metromix mayhem like, for example, MEEEE – not in chained to the desk.
Why: Free booze before 10 p.m., super-fine models, so much music your ears will bleed, and all kinds of surprises, including the chance to make out in the photo booth (with meeee). You really don’t want to miss this one.
Encore, do you want more? Click right here.
Chrysler Arts, Beats & Eats
What: Only the largest free festival in Michigan filled with dozens of big-name national acts, cool art, tons of great food and all sorts of other fun things like the Blogin Café (in which one Ese Esan and meeee will be pecking away on the keyboard starting at 6 p.m. before we cruise into Encore) and constant Guitar Hero competitions.
Why: Free, fun. And winter might start next week so be outside while you can. Oh, oh -- and there's like a $1 million lottery ticket up for grabs. Wowsa!
Enjoy the Pontiac party by clicking here.
Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix
What: Get your engines runnin’ with the weekend racing event that is for one FREE on Friday, bands like Everclear (Sunday night) and Sugar Ray (Saturday) are rocking it, and it features an American Le Mans Series, the IndyCar Series and, new for '08, the SCCA SPEED World Challenge GT Championship. Wasn’t it fun to say “Le Mans”?
Why: Even though I can think of all sorts of other ways to combat the energy crisis than racing around, Detroit is the Motor City…And Danica Patrick will be working the stick. Break me off a piece of that.
Fire up the chargers here.
Return of the Legends V.5
What: Well, if this lowly triple-vision seeing editor wasn’t trying to get it on in the photo booth at Encore in Pontiac’s Crofoot Ballroom, he’d be spitting mad rhymes on the Detroit River for the fifth edition of the Chene Park master on the mic hip-hop series. Starring Nasty Nas, Scarface and Foxy Brown, the Friday night line-up is pure fire. But, good news indeed-y, Legends plays on Saturday with Busta Rhymes, Rakim and Keith Murray and for its final night Sunday Salt-N-Pepa, Whodini and MC Hammer rock it old school.
Why: For reals? Everything from the “Freaks Come Out at Night” to “Hip Hop is Dead” will be covered and it will be fresh to def.
Break out the Hammer dance here.
Saturday, Aug. 30
Paxahau 10-Year Anniversary Party
What: Maybe best known for resurrecting and defining the Memorial Day weekend holiday with Movement: Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival, Jason Huvaere and the talented and dedicated production crew of Paxahau are celebrating its tenth anniversary with a three-day soiree for the beat-down generation. This fine night they takeover Oslo, but Sunday the pulsating tracks rev up in the afternoon at Windsor’s Z’s Villa where Richie Hawtin headlines the event. Hawt-in.
Why: Missed Movement? Can’t wait a whole year? Wanna dance, dance, dance? Do it.
Drop it like it's Haw-tin here.
Hamtramck Labor Day Festival
What: Hmm, it seems I keep thinking this is a three-day weekend, but I suppose for most of you regular people it’s four days!?! Must be nice (yes, yes -- you can email me and say "shut it" Haterstein). Regardless of my woe is me never-ending moment, one visit that must happen at some point before the Labor Day holiday ends is to Ham-town where the annual festival will be serving up a sweet helping of music (Danny D, Powertrane, Bill Parker & His Mother Scratchers, American Mars, the Polish Muslims, Speedball, Aquarius Void and more), carnival rides, ethnic food, live performances...and we’re just getting started.
Why: It’s a Hamtramck party –great people watching, probably the best festival food around (hmm, will they possibly serve up a Polish corn dog?) and, where else you gonna shake it at the Polka Palooza?
Get your Hammy fest on here.
Detroit International Jazz Festival
What: Holy festivals Batman, they’re everywhere. This one happens to be a classic (and sophisticated) Detroit/Windsor Labor Day weekend tradition.
Why: Well, I know this is under the Saturday section of "MMX Your Weekend" but Friday night (actually everyday) is really dope with Christian McBride leading the Marvin Gaye tribute. But considering the Saturday Philly-Detroit Summit with McBride, my mans Karriem Riggins (see Juke Joint right down there) and others – and I the crack-pot editor – I stuck the write-up in this slot. But, seriously (no, no – not the Phil Collins record) – the jazz fest is really incredible, despite my juvenile scribblings happening right now:
Blow it out your horn here.
*******Editor's note: Karriem Riggins' Juke Joint has been postponed. We will post more info if/when we get it -- but as of Friday, Aug. 29 at 11:40 a.m. it's off for Saturday night. Damn.
Karriem Riggins’ Juke Joint
What: Stop! This is the party not to miss. Karriem, a masterful jazz/soul/R&B/hip-hop artist is starring in a Public Media Group event (Talib Kweli, ?uesto, etc.) and this one promises to be superfly. With Slum Villa, Phat Kat, Guilty and Busta most likely all coming through to spit while Riggins mans the decks, the evening will be an inspirattional aural experience that cannot be slept on.
Why: If you love yourself some J Dilla (and you better if you call the “Dirty District” home) and that soulful hip-hop, get live with it in the intimate venue from the musician who works with Kanye West, Common, goddess Erykah Badu and others. For reals.
Get your “Body Movin’” son hurre.
T-Pain
What: Sheeeeee – everyday I’m hustlin’, hustlin', hustlin’ Big Boss Rick Ross is bringing the T-Pain for a smoking night of rap-tastic mayhem at Freedom Hill in Sterling Heights.
Why: There are a bunch of options, but T-Pain is on top of his game and it’s always fun to see what he’ll be wearing. Where’s Weezy? He needs to be in the D this weekend. Can you imagine the after-party if all the hip-hop stars crossed paths this night?
Witness the “Three Ring” circus right here, yeah-yeah.
Sunday, Aug. 31
WRIF Bikini Beach Blast
What: Ahhhhhhhhoy mate-y; now this is how everyone should spend their pre-Labor Day Sunday night. The Detroit Princess cruise ship is setting sail on the river and the spring break flavored party features reggae music, all sorts of assorted debauchery and anchoring the summer-ending ass-ction is a Corona-inspired bikini contest. Thank you, thank you, thank you WRIF 101.1 (ohh) baby!!
Why: For one, Christy – Miss WRIF Rock Girl 2008 will be there (love her). And, who doesn’t want to set sail on a booze cruise? I’m so there, bikini and all.
Dance under the pale moonlight by clicking this.
Encore and so much more this weekend. See you: bjhammerstein@metromix.com
What other people are saying...
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Tracey from detroit - August 29, 2008 at 7:35 PM
I <3 mmx.
Report This CommentBobby James from Sherwood Forest - August 22, 2008 at 8:16 PM
If "Drew" was REALLY hardcore, he was at the unofficial NIN/Hole after-party at Club Hell on the corner of 7 Mi and Woodward. Trent and Courtney we...
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Report This Commentizzykitty23 from livonia - August 22, 2008 at 1:24 PM
do you have any backstage passes for the nin concert? rachel
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