Decentralized Dance Party - Detroit

Do a search for "detroit" on Kickstarter.com, the world's largest platform for independent project funding, and you'll discover the pitch for the Decentralized Dance Party. Promoting themselves as "a portable, battery-powered Party System" this elaborate concept is the brainchild of Canadian residents, Tom and Gary.



So what exactly is the DDP?

According to the DDP Website, past events have consisted of hundreds of people, boomboxes, and FM transmitters. All boomboxes are tuned into the FM transmitter resulting in a mobile, synchronized system. Creating a new definition of a Pop Up - Party Shop, DDP has a goal to transform 13 citys on their 2012 tour. Keeping their mission in mind to "further the frontiers of Partying, bring joy to millions of people and ensure that Partying is respected, legitimized, and forever enshrined as a spiritual movement of paramount importance" the DPP has an entertaining, time-suck of a website filled with past promotional materials and legendary party footage.

If you're feeling generous and have your eye on the DDP party pack gift set, consider making a donation through kickstarter. If the funding fails, book a trip out to Seattle, NYC, Austin, or any of the many cities that have endorsed a DDP appearance this summer.

The Walkmen

400 lucky fans experienced The Walkmen at the Chicago Metro last weekend when they launched a two-show tour celebrating their 10th anniversary. We were spoiled with 3 hours of music hand selected from every album in the collection. Personal highlights include In The New Year and Lousiana, but we all left with a stronger attachment to one of the best bands of this modern age.

BRUNCH

A new Chicago breakfast spot treated me very well this weekend. Located at 644 N. Orleans (at Erie) BRUNCH offered a wide variety of fun options to feed the soul (and the hangover). Pictured below is a half devoured plate of Roasted Pork Eggs Benedict. The chipotle hollandaise lit up my taste buds and offered a fantastic start to the day.

Thursday Morning Blues

I love Dunkin Donuts coffee and I need about 10 cups to get me going today. It's just one of those kind of days. Really looking forward to the long holiday weekend filled with friends, family, and some R&R! The countdown begins!

(Photo taken from Intern Lauren)

2011 Rock Odyssey

The Colbert Report
Tags: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

This was the best possible thing to start my Thursday morning. The awkward tension between Jack and Colbert is so funny. I can't wait for the next part to air. Enjoy!

Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie

Check out this vintage image of the first modern bikini to hit the market. Making its French debut in 1946, the revealing swimwear was advertised as the world's "smallest bathing suit". The tiny box in the shot indicates just how mini the bikini becomes.

A lot of famous bikini shots have appeared in the media over the decades. Farrah Fawcett and Bridget Bardot are considered top fan favorites. In my opinion, the most notable bikini shot is featured on Raquel Welch in One Million Years B.C. You might also remember this image as the classic "cupcake" that Andy Dufresne used to cover up his escape route in the 1994 hit, The Shawshank Redemption. Raquel Welch just rocks this primitive bikini style so naturally!

Hello Summer

It's hard to imagine that this lobster delicacy was once considered to be only fit for low members of society. It was not until well into the twentieth century that the delicious crustacean was thought as more than a low-priced peasant dish.

The photos above were snapped at The Black Pearl, one of New England's top restaurants. Situated on the Newport Harbor, The Black Pearl serves up the best fresh New England clam chowder and steamed 2 1/2 lb lobsters. Grab a seat inside or out and enjoy the beautiful views and salty aromas of Bannister's Wharf. It's the perfect recipe for a sunny afternoon!

Great Movie Moments...

Jennings: Don't write this down, but I find Milton probably as boring as you find Milton. Mrs. Milton found him boring too. He's a little bit long-winded, he doesn't translate very well into our generation, and his jokes are terrible.

[Bell rings, students rise to leave]

Jennings: But that doesn't relieve you of your responsibility for this material. Now I'm waiting for reports from some of you... Listen, I'm not joking. This is my job!

Hello Leo

Meet Leo, a vintage prison laundry truck turned Hot Rod Thread Sled for local retailer DetroitGT. Owner Chris Gorski found the rare 1979 Chevy P10 Step Van through an Indiana CraigsList ad and rolled the dice on the purchase when he skipped a test drive. After making the trek down to pick it up, Leo was given 2 months of restoration love - including his notable black and red paint job.

I had the pleasure of purchasing a vintage style Hamtramck tee from Leo this weekend at the Berkley Art Fair. Printed on an alternative apparel shirt, I'm predicting it will become my favorite top by the end of summer. If you see Leo at art fairs, city events, and Eastern Market this summer - don't be shy, the truck (and owner) are super nice. Make sure to stop over a say "hi"!

A Classic Summer Thriller

If you're looking for a good throwback film for a Friday night, consider Shadow of a Doubt. This Hitchcock thriller staring Teresa Newton and Joseph Cotten debuted in 1943. Classified as film-noir, Shadow of A Doubt tells the story of a young, humble girl, "Young Charlie" who is visited by her sophisticated and esteemed "Uncle Charlie".

The plot takes a twist when two detectives arrive to ask Young Charlie some questions about the possibility of her uncle being a serial killer known as the "Merry Widow Murderer". Refusing to believe the accusations, she keeps the visit a secret but begins to notice strange behavior. Like any Hitchcock thriller, a suspenseful ending ties up all loose ends.

Pay close attention to at the beginning of the movie. Hitchcock, who himself appears in more Hitchcock films than any actor, makes a cameo about 15 minutes into the feature.

Shadow of a Doubt received unanimously positive reviews. New York Times critic Bosley Crowther loved the film, stating that "Hitchcock could raise more goose pimples to the square inch of a customer's flesh than any other director in Hollywood". I couldn't agree more.