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 Potential Gigs in the Detroit, MI Area (Megathread) 
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Post Potential Gigs in the Detroit, MI Area (Megathread)
I'd like to compile a list of potential venues in the Detroit, MI area. It seems that Michigan is kind of a Stick hub, so hopefully there's a lot of venues. The following are the ones I know about.

OPEN MICS:
The Luna Cafe (http://www.myspace.com/lunacafescs) on Friday Nights (call to double check)

PRE-ARRANGED
The Luna Cafe (http://www.myspace.com/lunacafescs) on Saturday Nights (normally a way younger crowd)

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Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:34 pm
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Post Re: Potential Gigs in the Detroit, MI Area (Megathread)
I haven't seen a performance in one of these stores for quite a while, but I know a couple of people who have performed in some of the "Borders Books & Music" stores around town. Might be a bit far for you, but the one in Ann Arbor nearest the U of M campus had a good college crowd. A friend of mine took me there one year to see his coworker's band play an acoustic set there (the bassist used an electric).

Isn't there two or three Cafe's like this in Ferndale? I want to say there's one or two down the street from Low Down Sound that does something like Luna.

Sorry, I'm not too familar with the east side. The last "cafe performance" I saw Glenn Poorman/Steve Osburn at the Crazy Wisdom Tearoom in A2, before that my supervisor's side business, an entertainment comapny, put on an acoustic show at the 4-Season's Internet Cafe in Canton. I believe they have closed though.

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Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:24 pm
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Post Re: Potential Gigs in the Detroit, MI Area (Megathread)
It's getting harder and harder around here. The city proper is pretty much a dead zone right now. It's either cover bands or DJs. For the solo thing, your best bet is to locate the suburban coffee house type places but even then you need to be careful. Some places embrace what you do while others watch with this look on their face that says "heeeeeyyyy ... you don't sound anything like Gordon Lightfoot ... and what is that thing."

The place Steven is thinking of in Ferndale was Xhedos Cafe which is now closed. It was bought though and is now AJ's. The story goes they are still doing live music and open mics but I haven't checked it out first hand. You can almost guarantee a receptive audience in that town though.

Glenn

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Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:57 am
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Post Re: Potential Gigs in the Detroit, MI Area (Megathread)
MichNS wrote:
I haven't seen a performance in one of these stores for quite a while, but I know a couple of people who have performed in some of the "Borders Books & Music" stores around town. Might be a bit far for you, but the one in Ann Arbor nearest the U of M campus had a good college crowd. A friend of mine took me there one year to see his coworker's band play an acoustic set there (the bassist used an electric).


I saw one of my favorite bands, Umphrey's McGee play a set there. Right after, they played across the street at the Michigan Theatre. That was a good day...

gpoorman wrote:
Some places embrace what you do while others watch with this look on their face that says "heeeeeyyyy ... you don't sound anything like Gordon Lightfoot ... and what is that thing."


Haha PLAY SOME EAGLES!

gpoorman wrote:
The place Steven is thinking of in Ferndale was Xhedos Cafe which is now closed. It was bought though and is now AJ's. The story goes they are still doing live music and open mics but I haven't checked it out first hand. You can almost guarantee a receptive audience in that town though.


I'll have to look into AJ's. I have played a couple jazz combo gigs at a place in Ferndale right on Woodward, but the name escapes me right now.

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Mon Mar 10, 2008 1:42 pm
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Post Re: Potential Gigs in the Detroit, MI Area (Megathread)
Just beware Borders.

Once upon a time they prided themselves on being community oriented and reaching out to local talent. The last time I had any dealings with them though, they were pretty much only interested in featuring national acts whose CDs they were also selling and had turned there backs on local musicians.

Glenn

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Mon Mar 10, 2008 1:57 pm
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Post Re: Potential Gigs in the Detroit, MI Area (Megathread)
Peter, what distance are you willing to travel? I'll keep you in mind as this topic comes up at work quite often. I'd have to dig deep into my e-mails, I had a couple of invites from musicians to some of their coffee shop gigs around the Plymouth area. Too bad the one in Canton is gone, looked so much the way you describe Luna. Lots of people your age hung out there.

Also, I've seen that several communities like Trenton, Monroe, Dearborn, Canton have created "Centers for Performing Arts" which range from buildings built up from scratch to renovated movie theaters. The last show I saw was in Trenton, where my supervisor had three groups perform for a benefit concert. A lot of these are in their infancy, something to watch for opportunities. Some might be ripe for open mic suggestions

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Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:02 pm
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Post Re: Potential Gigs in the Detroit, MI Area (Megathread)
Glenn: I can see that. I'll have to see what's up. When I saw Umphrey's, they were really pushing their CD's at Borders.

MichNS: Thanks a ton. I'll drive 45 minutes or so, I don't really see a problem.

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Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:14 pm
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Post Re: Potential Gigs in the Detroit, MI Area (Megathread)
Talked about this subject at work today. One place you should check out is the Modern Exchange in Southgate. I'm originally from Allen Park nearby, so I know that's not too far from the east side where you are.

http://www.themodernexchange.com/

I believe both my boss and Glenn Poorman/Coup Detroit have had shows there. It's mostly people your age that hang out there, no alchohol. I didn't get to see either show there, but my boss said he had a decent show, and the owners were pretty good to him. Just don't expect to be paid much. Would be interesting to get Glenn's opinion, I'm just a messenger here. I have paid them a visit though, as I am still trying to sell an '80's era Marshall Amp leather jacket. The guy was honest and said he would not be able to get me a fair price for it.

At some point I'll drive by where that place in Canton was, hopefully someone bought it and "carried the torch". That was a great place for solo acts, key being to be on a night when it's busy. Mostly a younger crowd, but a few older people would stop in for food as well.

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Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:20 pm
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Post Re: Potential Gigs in the Detroit, MI Area (Megathread)
It's been a while on the Modern Exchange. We had some weather issues so our turnout wasn't that great. But we did have fun and I liked the vibe of the place. The owners and audience were genuinely interested in hearing cool music. It was a young energetic kind of place and they try to get in several bands in an evening.

One thing though, although they call it a "cafe", it's a pretty large and loud performance room. They tend to go for the high energy bands so I probably wouldn't recommend it as a solo unless you were one of the openers going on first or second.

From the east side, it's not a horrendous distance. Basically you just find your way to southbound I-75, hop off at Dix/Toledo and head south just a few miles.

Glenn

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Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:02 am
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Post Re: Potential Gigs in the Detroit, MI Area (Megathread)
Found another:

http://plymouthcoffeebean.com/

Fri&Sat they have live music there, Mickey at Oz's played there a couple months ago, you could ask him how it went, I didn't happen to see his show. Happen to see the place from the outside today, my wife and I know someone who started working across the street from there. They are right in downtown Plymouth. Ann Arbor Trail takes you a block south from this place. When I saw this, I remembered Mickey's invite and then your post here.

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Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:26 pm
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