There’s No Such Thing as a Wrong Note–Art Tatum

Brother Ryan A. Bunch weighs in on the reluctant legacy of the Glass City's musical influence:

"Art Tatum’s dilapidated childhood home sits on City Park Avenue along the Dorr Street Corridor just on the outer edge of downtown, a total wreck, abandoned for decades. Out front, a gleaming bronze historical marker notes the sad relevance of the gaping hole in the foundation, the overgrown lot, the paint long-past chipping. The only splash of color offered on the drab scene is a few muraled boards guarding the long-open windows painted by teens from a nearby junior high school a few years ago. This is the perfect metaphor for Toledo music. We can’t talk about what is without talking about what was."

Take the  deep dive here:

You’re Never That Far From Toledo: a survey of music, history, grandiose complacency, and talent export in the Glass City—by Ryan A. Bunch

 

Punk Rock in Detroit (1976-1986) Presented by Third Man Records and Cranbrook Art Museum

C'mon down and hang for a bit and bat the fat–it could be wacky. It's free.

Where:  Third Man Records
              441 W Canfield St, Detroit, MI 48201
       
When:   Saturday, August 4, 2 p.m.

Jamie Farr, Toledo's Favorite Son

Not content to simply sit back and enjoy the spoils of his success, Toledo native and solid gold superstar Jamie Farr, aka Jameel Farah, is leveraging his legacy with Klinger Kreations, a can't miss entry in the highly competitive celebrity condiment arena. Try some today!


*Art and concept courtesy of comedic genius and talented illustrator Cris Shapan.

Have a Funk-Filled 4th!

Burger Thang Detroit, May 29 - June 25

Neue Haus Detroit presents Burger Thang, a show of recent works by Matt O’Brien, Chris Moore, and Greg Bokor. Official Release: Around 1982 a small group of kids from Mt. Clemens, Ann Arbor, Hudsonville, Bloomfield Hills, East Lansing and Maumee, Ohio all would meet at a ‘hole in the wall’ around the corner of Cass Avenue and Willis. That ‘hole in the wall’ was called the Freezer Theatre. They played in bands together and hung out at the Burger King on Cass Avenue. Out of this petri dish came the bands; Negative Approach, The Necros, The Meatmen, and Bored Youth, to name a few.

Three of that small group, Matt O’Brien, Chris Moore and Greg Bokor have since focused their talents on making art amongst other ventures. This show reunites them and the city that gave them much of their inspiration during that time.

Burger Thang runs from May 29-June 25 at Spread Art @detroit contemporary on 5141 Rosa Parks, Detroit.

Public Opening and Artist Talk,Thursday, May 29 at 7pm with Matt O’Brien, Chris Moore, and Greg Bokor. Burgers and drinks will be available.

Admission: Free Donation of $5 is suggested.

Contact neuehausdetroit@gmail.com for more information or visit the tumblr http://neuehausdetroit.tumblr.com/.
http://gregbokor.com/ 
http://mtobrien.com/ 
http://www.mooresong.com/ 

Neue Haus Detroit is a roving art, music, and artisan exhibition. Augusta Morrison is the founder and curator. NHD focuses on emerging artists and creating experiential happenings in alternative art spaces.

Frosty Toledo Landmark Defies Climate Change.

Climatologists, global warming researchers baffled by Toledo structure.
The last decade may have been the hottest on record yet, but don't tell that to the residents of this cozy abode located at the the corner of Monroe and Douglas Streets in Toledo, Ohio. Despite years of polar cap destroying climate change, this fine home remains virtually unchanged from when it was first constructed in the early 1600's by Eskimos of the Ninilichik tribe. A traditionally nomadic people, the Ninilchik tribe settled in the area after opening the first Barry Bagels location on the then barren Westgate Tundra.   

While research is ongoing, many scientists credit the anaolmy to the legacy of the little ice age of the Trilby Region, a period marked by... continued

Gary Louris-This Week In Toledo, Ohio, 1973:

Jayhawks guitarist Gary Louris graduates from Toledo’s St. Johns High School. In a bold career strategy that can only be described as genius, Louris doesn’t even own an electric guitar until after receiving his college diploma, potentially saving thousands of music admirers and witless bystanders from the shrill cacophony of yet another drooling adolescent tunelessly fumbling with his six-string penis in public.

The prolific songwriter’s decision to hone his craft in semi-obscurity was a wise one, evidenced not only by his vast catalog of passionate and melodic country/rock rock/country tinged-tunes, but also by the sheer number of A-list performers (Dixie Chicks, Kelly Willis, Nickel Creek-among others) that have come calling in recent years, all in hopes that at least some of the secret ingredients comprising G. Louris’ special sauce will stick to their fingers.

In addition to Louris's recently released and critically acclaimed solo work, "Vagabonds," the highly anticipated "Music from the North Country: The Jayhawks Anthology,"is slated for a July 7th release.

-toke!