Detroit Symphony Orchestra

 The first time I attended the Detroit Symphony Orchestra was not by choice. I was taking a history of music class at Macomb Community College and one of our assignments was to attend a DSO concert of our choice before the semester ended and write a three page paper on our experience and how the experience related the lessons covered through out the semester. Of course, I waited until the last minute, as I do with everything, and left work early to attend to very last concert available the day before the assignment was due. The concert was held at the Fox Theater in downtown Detroit, and although I was forced to attend I was actually pretty excited about it since I had never seen the Detroit Symphony Orchestra or the Fox Theater and love classical music.

My professor had told the class the dress was “pretty casual,” and I realized as soon as I walked through the door I completely misread what she was talking about. At the time I worked at Moosejaw, a mountaineering store filled with fun loving hippies. We loved to camp, travel and we could care less what we looked like. As I left work that night I figured my Moosejaw hoodie and jeans would work just fine for the “pretty casual event” so my attire was anything but magnificent. When I walked in I felt out of place. As I looked around I realized everyone was dressed to the nine; black suits and long flowing gowns filled the cocktail lobby. I wanted to ground to swallow me; people looked at us like we were lost. My boyfriend at the time worked at Moosejaw too and he attended the concert with me looking a mess, just as I did. We looked at each other and laughed, realizing the only thing that was going to get us through this experience was going to be overpriced cocktails . . . . $9.00 cocktails to be exact.

“Kelly, you know more about classical music than most of the people in this room,” Brandon said to me. In that moment, I decided he was right, and I was going to enjoy the experience and look past the fact that I didn’t exactly fit in with the crowd.

The DSO performance was based on Beethoven, the great, and I was really excited. I grew up with classical music in my home, as my dad played the piano everyday, the guitar, and basically any instrument he could get his hands on. Before I took the class, I knew more about Beethoven, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky than most people my age because it was a part of my daily life. As I found my seat the feeling of anxiety started to fade. Typically, the wait before a show annoys me; I tend to find myself getting antsy, saying “come on hurry up” in my head, but this time I felt like I needed more than the twenty minutes given to take in everything I was seeing before the Orchestra started. The building was amazing; each tiny square foot of the Theater was intricate, covered in gold, gorgeous statues with hand painted ceilings above.

The performance was amazing too. It’s a blessing and a curse when you can read and hear music as it is suppose to be performed because it makes it easy to find the flaws and pick the performers apart without even knowing that you’re doing it. The DSO never missed a beat; they played each Beethoven piece as if he were standing in front of them, guiding them through their performance. The DSO performs at many different places in the Detroit community, and each performance is just as good as the last. If you ever get a change to see a concert it will change your life. If classical music is not for you, I still recommend attending an event at the Fox Theater, it is an amazing experience and the building is an art all its own. 

"Busk" a Move

One of the most amazing aspects of visiting downtown Detroit is the walk to your destination. Most people go to downtown Detroit for a purpose. Couples may be headed out to a nice dinner in Greek town in cocktail dresses or a nice pair of pants, ready for a fun night out on the town. You may see a group of friends huddled together drinking beers at Cheli’s Chili Bar before the big Red Wings hockey game. Other people are dressed to the nine in gorgeous gowns and suits, walking toward the Fox Theater to catch the show. Others might be running to the casinos to make some quick cash or support bad habits. Walking the streets of downtown Detroit, the city looks beautiful. Tall buildings lead you in mazes as you try to find your way down the right one way street. The sounds of car horns echo between buildings and the lights of offices shine above for those who work later than the typical nine to five-er. People nod and smile as you pass by, and the smell of fresh coney dogs fills the air. If you wanted to you could really spend a whole night just walking around downtown Detroit looking at the architecture and enjoying the sights. Although the sights to see and hear are endless, there will always be one that catches your attention more than the others. Buskers.

Buskers, better known as street performers, street musicians, minstrels or troubadours are people who perform in public places for money and or edibles. Busk means “to seek,” and street performers are doing just that, seeking out their moment in the spotlight, waiting for their shot at fame and fortune. In 1860, busters filled the streets of Great Brittan and today, the legacy still lives on in the streets of the big cities. In Detroit, they are everywhere. The sounds of trumpets, saxophones and guitars fill the streets as you turn the corner. As you get closer to the sound, you will come across a man playing his instrument as if it is a part of him. The street musicians of Detroit perform as if they are standing in front of the entire crowd inside Comerica Park for a Tigers game, even though people may just be listening as they walk pass, or a couple of people stop for a few moments to show their appreciation. Performers empty instrument cases lay in front of them as they play, and they are too busy playing to ever ask for money. The sounds they create are what brings the money to the cases. They are amazing artists, and show it with each song they play. Rain or shine, wind or snow, you will find them entertaining the city. It is an amazing experience to see their love and drive to make music, and if you’re lucky, maybe they will play a song especially for you.

Rockin' the Motor City

Question: What is better than going to a concert and rockin’ out all night?

Answer: Going to a concert and rockin’ out all night with someone who loves your city as much as you do.

Kid Rock (Robert James Ritchie) grew up in Romeo, Michigan, a hop, skip and a jump away from my childhood home. He grew up a rebel child, smashing mailboxes and throwing things at cars as they drove by. Although he loved getting into trouble, he was also a kid who loved rock and roll, urban underground music, and idolized hip hop artists like run DMC. The troubled kid found himself playing shows in basements, focused on his dreams and completely in love with music. In 88’ Boogie down Productions offered him an opening performance that just happened to be watched by Jive records who signed him to the record label that same night. His career sky rocketed from that moment, and he was on his way to stardom. Although he was climbing the ladder, he never forgot where he came from, and never lost his love for the city of Detroit.

I had heard Kid Rock songs on the radio, and I knew the words to the popular songs, like cowboy, all summer long, and picture, but I never really got into Kid Rock. I knew he was a rock star and I also knew he came from the motor city so I liked him just on principle. I decided to go to his concert because it felt like it was a good night to celebrate the city with the man who was able to tell the world how we ALL felt about Detroit, proud. I kind of went in blind, not really knowing what to expect, but I had a feeling it was going to be a really fun time.

People that don’t live in Detroit sometimes look down on it and think the entire city is filled with poverty, drugs, and crime. For those of us who live in Detroit, or in the motor city, we know better. There are amazing sights to see, kind, friendly people to meet, and music to be made. Kid Rock stands by his city and puts on the most amazing concert ever when he’s here at home. 

 "The calm before the storm! C yall' this weekend! One Love Detroit!" - Kid Rock

If you’re living in the Detroit area you have no excuse; but if you don’t live in the area and get a chance to go to a concert while you are here, this is one to see. Kid Rock played at Comerica Park, right in the heart of downtown Detroit, directly in front of the sky line. It was the most beautiful view and I left the concert with an even bigger love for the city we call home.