'Detours'

911 call: Fight at China 1 restaurant by Detroit Free Press Entertainment

With host Rob St. Mary needing to focus on other aspects of his professional life, the Free Press is putting the "Detours" podcast on indefinite hiatus. St. Mary and Free Press arts & entertainment editor Steve Byrne say sayonara and reflect a bit on the ride that was.

With host Rob St. Mary needing to focus on other aspects of his professional life, the Free Press is putting the "Detours" podcast on indefinite hiatus. St. Mary and Free Press arts & entertainment editor Steve Byrne say sayonara and reflect a bit on the ride that was.

This week Rob St. Mary and guest co-host, poet & performer, Joel "Fluent" Greene head to the N'Namdi Contemporary Arts Center in Midtown to catch up with gallery owner/founder George N'Namdi to talk about his 35th anniversary celebration. Also on the show, Lo & Behold Records in Hamtramck is hosting a community potlatch - a kind of community exchange event for items you no longer need or maybe something you might need - free of charge. Rob talks to the store's founder, Richie Wohlfeil about Sunday's event. And, the PBS show START UP heads into its fourth season. Rob talks to producer Jenny Feterovich & producer/host Gary Bredow about this Made in Detroit show that has gone international.

This week Rob St. Mary and guest co-host, poet & performer, Joel "Fluent" Greene head to the N'Namdi Contemporary Arts Center in Midtown to catch up with gallery owner/founder George N'Namdi to talk about his 35th anniversary celebration. Also on the show, Lo & Behold Records in Hamtramck is hosting a community potlatch - a kind of community exchange event for items you no longer need or maybe something you might need - free of charge. Rob talks to the store's founder, Richie Wohlfeil about Sunday's event. And, the PBS show START UP heads into its fourth season. Rob talks to producer Jenny Feterovich & producer/host Gary Bredow about this Made in Detroit show that has gone international.

Detroit Design Festival kicks off Wednesday offering a wide range of design, art and related activities through Sunday. To get the lowdown, we talk with Jessica Malouf of festival producer Detroit Creative Corridor Center and stop by Detroit Wick, the scent and art shop that's participating in DDF's Eastern Market After Dark event. Plus: the psychedelic art of Armageddon Beachparty and a preview of the 4th Annual Headwrap Expo in Dearborn.

Detroit Design Festival kicks off Wednesday offering a wide range of design, art and related activities through Sunday. To get the lowdown, we talk with Jessica Malouf of festival producer Detroit Creative Corridor Center and stop by Detroit Wick, the scent and art shop that's participating in DDF's Eastern Market After Dark event. Plus: the psychedelic art of Armageddon Beachparty and a preview of the 4th Annual Headwrap Expo in Dearborn.

The rehabbed arts space at 333 Midland in Highland Park this weekend unveils "Big Sculpture," a show featuring dozens of top Detroit artists. Plus, a new book from Taschen looks at "Automobile Design Graphics." And the 15th annual Hearsefest rolls into Hell, Mich.

Cleveland's Wizbang! promises "stupid laughs, gorgeous mayhem and ridiculous skills" with its show at Tangent Gallery in Detroit. And The Dirtiest Most Bizarre Art Show That's Not in The Alley, Ever! is an alternative and complement to the popular Dally in the Alley fest.

Parliament-Funkadelic honcho George Clinton sits down for an extended discussion that touches on a broad range of topics, including the Detroit creation of his signature psychedelic funk, the music's influence on hip-hop, a documentary he's producing that will deal with legal battles over his heavily sampled catalog and much more. Plus: 14 Band Blender at Small's in Hamtramck.

It's a packed episode, with DJ-producer-promoter Claude VonStroke chatting up the Dirtybird BBQ, the lowdown on Preservation Detroit's theater tour and the details on the Michigan Jewish Food Festival and Festival del Rio. The recording was done at Recycle Here!, the Detroit recycling venue that hosts all sorts of street art and live performances -- including monthly comedy shows.

John Doe of legendary punk band X talks his new book about the L.A. punk scene and the band's gigs this weekend at El Club in southwest Detroit. Artist Derf Backderf, in town for an event at MOCAD, chats his acclaimed graphic novel "Trashed." The episode was recorded on location at Cairo Coffee in Detroit.

We chat with Paul F. Tompkins, one of the featured performers at the Detroit Improv Festival, which arrives Wednesday through Saturday at a variety of metro Detroit venues. Plus, Sweetest Heart of Mary Pierogi Festival, burlesque performer Vivacious Miss Audacious, and the rock poster art of the late Gary Grimshaw.

Lo & Behold! Records & Books in Hamtramck was the on-location recording spot for this week's episode, which also spotlights the new "Essay'd" Detroit arts book, the Pretty Ghouls and the Detroit All-Star Garage Rock and Punk Review.

"Detours" has the lowdown on the Fair Lane Folk Festival, which hits Dearborn on Saturday with headliner Justin Townes Earle and many others. Plus, talking Detroit hip-hop with LXL, and the Weekend Top 5.

An influential figure in countercultural music thanks to work with Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV, Genesis P-Orridge talked at length with "Detours" host Rob St. Mary in advance of Psychic TV's gig this weekend at El Club in Southwest Detroit.

The Mo Pop Festival returns for a second year on the Detroit riverfront. Plus: a new show & space at Simone DeSousa Gallery. A chat with Genesis P-Orridge, whose Psychic TV plays El Club. And Detroit has a birthday party at the movies.

Filmmaker John Carpenter ("The Thing," "Halloween," "Escape From New York") is also a composer, and talks about the music event he's bringing to the Masonic Temple on Friday. Also: Concert of Colors, Michigan Lavender Festival, and art talk with Jef Borgeau and Matt Eaton.

Kevin McDonald of the Kids in the Hall comedy troupe talks about this weekend's events at Go Comedy! in Ferndale. Writer Peter Markus of InsideOut has details on the literary organization's show at Third Man Records. Plus, more comedy at UFO Factory, and the Weekend Top 5.

The new Corktown Strut festival arrives in Detroit's Corktown area this weekend, offering a wide range of music, food & drinks. In an episode recorded in the neighborhood's Two James Spirits distillery, "Detours" chat with fest organizers, performer Danny Kroha and more.