Monday Milestone: Historic Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit MI

The Gatehouse of Elmwood Cemetery. Established in 1846, the Historic Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit MI is the final resting place for many of the famous people and war veterans of Detroit and the State of Michigan. To read more of the fascinating information about the Historic Elmwood Cemetery, click here.

The Civil War Memorial at Elmwood Cemetery honors those from Michigan who gave their lives during "The War of the Rebellion". This area is one of the few in the United States where the flag is flown day and night to honor fallen soldiers and sailors.

The Joy family of Detroit is interned here. Founders of the Packard Motor Company, the United Foundation, and financiers of the Newberry Theatre and Gardens, "Joy Road" in Detroit is named for them.

Six generations of the Lewis Cass family are here. Lewis Cass was Michigan Territorial Governor, U.S. Senator, Secretary of State, Minister to France. His namesake is my alma mater, Cass Technical High School in Detroit. Also Cass Park, the Cass Corridor, Cass Avenue, etc.

Martha Jean ("The Queen") Steinburg was a legendary Detroit radio personality and believed to be the first African-American woman to own a radio station. She holds many honors, including being inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.



Coleman Alexander Young was the longest-serving mayor in Detroit history. He was also a WWII veteran, a member of the famous Tuskegee Airmen, a Michigan State Senator, and an awardee of the Springarn Medal, the highest honor of the NAACP.

Posted via web from The DSpot Redeux Blog

Detroit Electronic Music Festival

Movement 2010 is right around the corner!

Saturday, May 29- Monday, May 31, 2010

Downtown Detroit, Hart Plaza, Detroit, Michigan; Tel. 313.494.5800

Photos courtesy of MovementFrom left: Richie Hawtin, Kevin Saunderson and Juan Atkins will headline the three-day Movement Electronic Music Festival in Detroit's Hart Plaza May 29-31.

This year The Movement Electronic Music Festival is celebrating a 10-year history. Also called The Detroit Electronic Music Festival, or DEMF, and Fuse-In, this annual event is known as the weekend Detroit's underground techno scene comes out to play.

Photo Courtesy of Jessica Nunez | MLive.com

In the early hours of the Movement people fill the Red Bull Academy stage on May 29, 2010

 

Movement Organizers expect the highest ever attendance numbers since the festival started charging for admission in 2005. A little more than 41,000 passes were sold the first year and this year numbers are estimated to increase about 15%.

Here's the full schedule:

Saturday, May 29

Vitamin Water Stage

• 12-2 p.m. - Matthew Hawtin
• 2-5 p.m. - Mark Ernestus (R&S) set
• 5-8:30 p.m. - Scion
• 6:30-8 p.m. - Woody McBride
• 8-9:30 p.m. - John Acquaviva
• 9:30-11 p.m. - Josh Wink
• 11 p.m.-midnight - Richie Hawtin presents Plastikman

Beat Port Stage

• 2-3:30 p.m. - Dan Bain
• 2-5 p.m. - Onur Ozer
• 5-6:30 p.m. - Ida Engberg
• 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Jamie Jones
• 8-9:30 p.m. - Paco Osuna
• 9:30-11 p.m. - Claude VonStroke

Made in Detroit Stage

• 2-4:30 p.m. - Patrice Scott
• 4:30-6 p.m. - Niko Marks
• 6-7:30 p.m. - Kyle Hall
• 7:30-9 p.m. - Rick Wilhite
• 9-11 p.m. - Theo Parrish

Red Bull Music Academy Stage

• 1-2 p.m. - Jeff Risk
• 2-3 p.m. - John Ryan, Ian Clark and Ron Zakrin
• 3-4:30 p.m. - Sinistarr with MC Teddy and Bombscare
• 4:30-6 p.m. - DZ featuring TooPhaced
• 6-7:30 p.m. - Martyn
• 7:30-9 p.m. - Excision
• 9-10:30 p.m. - A-Trak
• 10:30 p.m.-midnight - DJ Hype with MC Daddy Earl

Movement Stage

• 1-3 p.m. - Shawn Michaels
• 3-5 p.m. - Yos
• 5-6:30 p.m. - Kenneth Thomas
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Stefano Fontana
• 7:30-9 p.m. - Kirk Digiorgio
• 9-11 p.m. -Marco Carola

Sunday, May 30

Vitamin Water Stage

• 2-4 p.m. - Recloose
• 4-6 p.m. - DJ Pierre
• 6-7 p.m. - Larry Heard
• 7-9 p.m. - DJ Sneak
• 9-11 p.m. - Derrick Carter
• 11 p.m.-midnight - Inner City

Beat Port Stage

• 12-2 p.m. - Acid Didj
• 2-4 p.m. - John Johr
• 4-6 p.m. - The Martinez Brothers
• 6-7 p.m. - Martin Buttrich
• 7-9 p.m. - Cassy
• 9 p.m.-midnight - Ricardo Villalobos

Made in Detroit Stage

• 2-3 p.m. - Ian Desmond
• 3-4 p.m. - Gabe Real
• 4-5:30 p.m. - Ryan Crosson
• 5:30-7 p.m. - K. Hand
• 7-8:30 p.m. - Anthony "Shake" Shakir
• 8:30-10 p.m. - Rolando
• 10-11 p.m. - Robert Hood

Red Bull Music Academy Stage

• 2-5 p.m. - DJ Dick, DJ Godfather, Starski & Clutch
• 5-6 p.m. - Hudson Mohawk
• 6-7 p.m. - Kid Sister
• 7-8 p.m. - Phat Kat & Guilty Simpson with Will Sessions
• 8-9:30 p.m. - Kraak & Smaak
• 9:30-11 p.m. - Mr. Scruff
• 11 p.m.-midnight - Ghostland Observatory

Movement Stage

• 2-3:30 p.m. - I-Robots
• 3:30-5 p.m. - DJ Torpez
• 5-6:30 p.m. - Psycatron
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Orlando Voorn
• 7:30-9 p.m. - Greg Gow
• 9-11 p.m. - Derrick May

Monday, May 31

Vitamin Water Stage

• 3:30-5 p.m. - Luke Hess
• 5-6:30 p.m. - Agoria
• 6:30-8 p.m. - Rex Sepulveda
• 8-10 p.m. - Stacey Pullen
• 10-11 p.m. - Kenny Larkin
• 11 p.m.-midnight - Model 500

Beat Port Stage

• 12-2 p.m. - Shigeto
• 2-3:30 p.m. - Secrets
• 3:30-5 p.m. - ItaloBoyz
• 5-6:30 p.m. - d0p
• 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Joel Mull
• 8:30-10 p.m. - Radio Slave
• 10 p.m.-midnight - Chris Liebing

Made in Detroit Stage

• 3:30-5 p.m. - Jenny Lafemme
• 5-6:30 p.m. - Punisher
• 6:30-8 p.m. - Jen Xerri
• 8-9:30 p.m. - Minx
• 9:30-11 p.m. - Magda

Red Bull Music Academy Stage

• 2-3 p.m. - Tokimonsta
• 3-4 p.m. - Francesco Tristano
• 4-5 p.m. - Moritz Von Oswald Trio
• 5-6:30 p.m. - DJ Koze
• 6:30-8:15 p.m. - Michael Mayer
• 8:15-9:30 p.m. - Simian Mobile Disco - DJ set
• 9:30-10:30 p.m. - Pretty Lights
• 10:30 p.m.-midnight - Booka Shade

Movement Stage

• 2-3:30 p.m. - Inxec
• 3:30-5 p.m. - Sean Deason
• 5-6:30 p.m. - Monty Luke
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Motel Connection
• 7:30-9 p.m. - Barem
• 9-11 p.m. - Mauro Picotto

I Love Detroit Contest

(myFOXDetroit.com Staff Reports) - Something positive for the city and a chance for you to live rent-free at a sweet location in Detroit for one year.

As a way to bring attention to the exciting, unique, creative and often unnoticed places and events in the city of Detroit, Garden Court Condominiums, Detroits premier high-rise living complex, is launching the first-ever I Love Detroit! video contest.  Its asking the community to show their love for Detroit by capturing a video of themselves doing what they love most in the city.

A chance to win a fantastic grand prize: The winner of the "I Love Detroit" video contest will live rent-free at Garden Court Condominiums for one year. During their stay, the winner will chronicle their day-to-day experiences participating in Detroit's culture, dining and sporting events through a blog.


Designed by famed architect Albert Kahn in 1915, Garden Court Condominiums is a mid-rise condominium complex located in the East RiverWalk District of Detroit with spectacular views of the City and the River. It features 65 superbly renovated residences that seamlessly blend the beauty of historic architecture with today's modern amenities.

For more information, visit  www.gardencourtcondos.com

Here's what you need to do for the contest: LOG ON HERE TO ENTER

(1) Shoot a two-minute video that showcases why you love Detroit and would be the perfect person to blog about your day-to-day adventures living downtown.

You don’t need fancy video equipment or editing tools to submit a video. Simply prove that you’re passionate about Detroit and would love to help tell the city’s story.

(2) Sign-up and join our community site at www.gardencourtvideocontest.com

(3) Upload your video submission by 11:59pm on Monday, June 21st.

A panel comprised of local bloggers and personalities will review all submissions. The winning video will be announced at a “Wrap Party” on Tuesday, June 29th! 

MDOT bridges gaps in Southwest Detroit

The city of Detroit has a brand new landmark and tourist attraction - the award-winning Mexicantown Bagley Avenue Pedestrian Bridge and Plaza, open since May 5, 2010. This state-of-the-art cable-stayed bridge, part of the Michigan Department of Transportation's (MDOT) $230 million I-75 Gateway Project, is the first of its kind in the state. The 407-foot-long structure spans I-75 and I-96, two of southeast Michigan's busiest freeways, and has reconnected Mexicantown, one of southwest Detroit's oldest neighborhoods. Mexicantown has been divided since I-75 was built in the area in the late 1970s.

The Gateway Project is a major economic development project connecting area freeways to the Ambassador Bridge and Detroit's Mexicantown neighborhood. It includes:

• Reconstructed freeways and a new interchange for I-75 and I-96
• A pedestrian bridge connecting east and west Mexicantown
• A redesigned Ambassador Bridge Plaza
• Click here for detour information

"The pedestrian bridge is a significant part of the Gateway Project and its purpose goes beyond lending aesthetic beauty to the neighborhood," remarked MDOT Metro Region Engineer Tony Kratofil. "It is an investment in Mexicantown and southwest Detroit that will improve mobility, safety and quality of life for residents. This bridge, and the other Gateway Project infrastructure improvements, will help increase commerce by supporting the more than 600 businesses in southwest Detroit. It will attract new businesses, spur economic development, and support Detroit's $5 billion-a-year tourism industry by encouraging travelers to visit the Detroit Welcome Center, the Mexicantown community and attractions throughout the city and state."

To celebrate Mexicantown's heritage, Michigan artist Hubert Massey created two works of art that comprise the Mexicantown Bagley Avenue Pedestrian Bridge and Plaza Community Art Project. The art project was funded by a federal grant obtained by MDOT. The first work, entitled "Spiral of Life," is a mosaic of handcrafted tile in dramatic hues that traces the history and culture of the people who call Mexicantown home. he second work, called "The Spiral Kinship," is made of textured aluminum and features a vertical form that reaches 12 feet into the air. A bronze-colored globe mounted at its point represents universal kinship between two sovereign nations.

CLICK HERE FOR MDOT VIDEO MiVIDEO

For more information on Contact:  Brenda V. Peek, MDOT Office of Communications, email: peekb@michigan.gov  Phone:248-483-5109, Agency: Transportation

Old School Friday: Happy Birthday, Stevie!

Stevie Wonder turned SIXTY years old 

on May 13 2010!

 

Posted via web from The DSpot Redeux Blog

Words Cannot Express Wednesday: Jabari Jordan (5/12/92- 5/10/10)

Jabari Jordan (5/12/92- 5/10/10), a young brother from the communities of Detroit & Highland Park, MI,  made his transition on May 10, 2010. A community event was held on Tuesday, May 12, 2010 at Aisha Shule/ W.E.B. DuBois Prep. Academy to celebrate both his life and what would have been his 18th birthday.

Grieving mother, Annisha Jordan, aunt Maat Akanke and uncle, lovingly know as Tuff embraced one another several times throughout the night.

An ancestral altar was created and prepared by the Akuaba Women's Society, Circle of Wisdom to honor Jabari as a new ancestor

Prayer was offered by Sumarah Smith.

Libations were poured by Kefentse Chike.

Poetry was read by a childhood friend and former schoolmate, Tahirah Murphy

A community drum circle was formed to honor Jabari Jordan, a fellow drummer of Djembefola (PPT)

Jabari's mother, Annisha and brother, Malik Jordan watched the ceremony with tearful joy.

African dances were performed by the community to honor both the deceased and his family. (Shown from top to bottom: Imari Alaji, Adisa Murphy, Saidah Murphy, Aziza Davis, Terri O'Neal, Malika Pryor, Aqueela Muhammad, as well as mother and daughter, Mehmuna and Jamaikah Jackson.)

Lastly, Jabari's (sister-like) aunt, Maat Akanke (long standing member of the community and the Pyramid Performing Theater) danced for her sister, brother and late nephew.

A potluck-style dinner was served throughout the night.

Elder, Mama Imani Humphrey, Director of Aisha Shule/ W.E.B. DuBois Prep. Academy spoke on the subject of loss and the use of african culture and it's principals for strength in hard times.

A birthday song was sung in kiswahili  for Jabari, who would have been 18 years old on this day.

The event brought out students and alumni of all ages to ASDPA. Most were former classmates of Jabari , had gone to ASDPA with his aunt, Maat, watched Jabari grow up within its walls or was taught by Jabari's grandmother Mama Titilayo Akanke (not shown)

Letters and cards were read for brothers and sisters who could not attend.

Extended family members like Alife Hogan, came out to support Annisha, mother of the deceased as well as the entire family.

Jabari Jordan's Djembe was passed onto Jabari's younger brother Malik by lead drummer, Ayinde Ananda-Fondren.

To conclude the ceremony, a prayer circle was formed around the immediate family, each member touching to create a continuous circle.

Photographs provided by: Jendayi Iyi, http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=57328&id=1019543627&ref=mf