Day One: Motown Magic/Glory to Gospel/Jazz it Up/ Sing the Blues
Exploring music in Detroit is also a great way to analyze this city's history. To begin, take in the world-famous Motown Historical Museum, a.k.a Hitsville U.S.A. Occupying two of the original houses owned by Motown Records, the museum is filled with rare photographs, gold records, costumes and other memorabilia. Don't miss the aptly titled gift shop, "Shop Around.
Next, visit New Bethel Baptist Church where Aretha Franklin, (whose father served as pastor) launched her career. Another must-see is the Gospel Music Hall of Fame & Museum, dedicated to the preservation and education of gospel music and entertainment. Here, you can read about the father of gospel, Thomas A. Doresey, and compositions of gospel pioneers, as well as browse through the Hall of Fame.
Next, classical music fans can check Orchestra Hall's schedule, home to the world-renowned Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The DSO also features a jazz series presenting some of the world's greatest jazz artists. Considered one of America's finest acoustic environments for orchestral music, the hall was named to the register of National Historic Landmarks in 1970. It is now part of the larger Max M. Fisher Music Center, a performing arts complex that also includes the 450-seat Music Box recital hall and the Jacob Bernard Pincus Music Education Center.
For a bit of the blues, head out to Memphis Smoke in Royal Oak for great local artists, Nancy Whiskey's in Corktown or to the Aardvark Blues Café in Windsor.
Day Two: Detroit Rocks/A Sweet Techno Beat/Can't Top Hip-Hop
Start off with a stroll alongside the Detroit River and Hart Plaza, home of Detroit's Electronic Music Festival among other riverfront festivals throughout summer. Shop Pure Detroit for music and local interest books, fashionable clothing and accessories, buttery car-shaped cookies and Faygo sodas. This is also where you can snag an authentic ‘Detroit' red hoodie that Eminem made famous in "8 Mile."
Detroit Techno was first manufactured at the Alton Miller Music Institute by Derrick May, who brought a European vibe to the dance club and mixed it with an urban beat. Open from 1987-1989, other DJ's whose spinning helped packed the club to capacity include Juan Atkins and Kevin Saunderson, who are also credited with creating the Techno sound. The Music Institute is now defunct, but you can drive by and see where it all started. For some fresh tunes, head to Detroit's New Center where you'll find Pure D Vinyl, Detroit's only all-genre, all-Detroit record store for local music like Carl Craig and Kevin Saunderson, the White Stripes, MC5 and more. In Ferndale, drive by Fifty-Four Sound for a close-up view of Eminem's recording studio.
Get Your Late-Night Groove On
For an evening out, dine at Seldom Blues, Detroit's Premier jazz restaurant and supper club overlooking the Detroit River, located in the General Motors Renaissance Center. For a scenic drive and casual dining with a waterfront view, try the Beach Grill & Aqua Bar where celebs Kid Rock and Pamela Anderson partied with the Detroit Red Wings after they won the Stanley Cup in 2002. For indie rock action, spend an evening at the Magic Stick, the pool hall and club that helped launch the careers of garage-rockers like the White Stripes and Von Bondies.
St. Andrew's Hall is home to alternative music acts and downstairs at The Shelter, music fans dance to house and rave music that ranges from up-and-coming local acts to internationally renowned artists. Also, check out the stylish Envy, the industrial Leland City Club or Luna in Royal Oak for a groove that goes on into the early morning hours.
Slam, the sport of the spoken word, is closely affiliated with the hip-hop culture. It's all the rage at coffee houses in Chicago, New York and right here in Detroit. Want to check out this energetic, creative art form? Grab a coffee at Beans and Bytes or Magnolia's Key Club for open stage night with freestyle slamming.
