living
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
December 2-8, 2009 Page B-2
Dream keepers From page B-1
has signature moves. I use give other musicians opportu- Wonder and others. “Detroit
to imitate him, when I was nities that I’ve had. I’m happy has a lot of talent. This perfor-
younger. Both Michael and to be from Detroit. This is my mance gives me a chance to
James Brown were crispy cool roots. Detroit artists are as start a new legacy of success
in their moves and paved the good as anyone else, and they with my family.”
way for others, like me.” need to be supported.”
For 17-year-old Tierra
That paved road has been It is that support that 23- Mitchell, the production offers
traveled upon by many talent- year-old Jennifer Slaughter more than an opportunity to
ed Detroiters and has led them hopes to give young aspiring perform on a major stage.
to success, including McCall. dancers at Brenda Scott Middle
“When people say, ‘There
School, where she teaches.
“Dancing gives me freedom
from everything,” says Tierra,
is no talent left in Motown’, “Michael Jackson repre- who has been dancing for four
they’re wrong. Come visit some sents the true theatrical per- years and attends Consor-
of the schools in Detroit, and former. “You can’t look at him tium College Preparatory High
you’ll find a new generation and not see passion,” said School. “I’m able to express
of talent,” boasts McCall, who Slaughter, a Renaissance High myself through dance.”
produced, directed and cho- School and Michigan State
reographed the tribute. “The University graduate. “Passion
As energetic beats guide
legacy left by Michael Jackson is hope, so don’t ever lose
dancers across the floor, emo-
and others continues. A lot sight of it. Whenever Michael
tions climax moving onlook-
of national and international stepped on stage, he touched
ers to express themselves in
recording artists are pulling his audience. You couldn’t
song and shout out, “Can you
talent right out of Detroit. stop listening to him. This is
feel it?”
When someone is looking for the most rewarding produc- “The tribute is very enlight-
musicians, vocalists or danc- tion that I’ve ever been a part ening and uplifting,” added
ers, their search often begins of and it’s an opportunity for McCall. “It’s educational, not
in Detroit.” other performers to show their just dance. It’s showing the
Scouts will not come up
greatness.” best of Detroit. We’re moving
empty-handed with a treasure Grabbing hold to the hat
from sitting in chairs in the
troll of all-Detroit dancers, vo- of endless opportunities left
audience to being on stage in
calists, musicians and stage by Michael Jackson, Laderryl
the spotlight. And, we’re con-
hands involved in the energet- “Jig Hart hopes to carry the
tinuing the legacy.”
ic Broadway-level tribute. dream to new dimensions. Tickets are available at the
“The talent is never dead “Michael’s moves were
Music Hall Center of Perform-
here,” said Yvette Meadow, a very intricate, and his music
ing Arts Box Office, 350 Madi-
Finney High School graduate told a story. I choreographed
son Street, or Ticket Master.
and national music consultant the final number, which is
for the production. “I’ve played New Age Michael, “ says Hart,
with many popular artists, a graduate of the Detroit
Grier
including Chaka Kahn, The School of Performing Arts,
From page B-1
Mary Jane Girls, Miki Howard who has worked with Missy
and others. This is a chance to Elliot, Knarles Barkley, Stevie
ly risqué enough to follow in
the footsteps of the “Chapelle
Show,” it clearly didn’t fit the
Rainy Day hobbies
bill despite rave reviews.
From page B-1
Expressively and cleverly,
goal is to preserve the method well as free Wi-Fi. building momentum between
of hands-on model building his life’s stages, he eventually
while encouraging imagina-
Hamilton believes that
revisits one of the happiest
tion.
though the current trend has
moments of his life (besides
been moving towards more
the birth of his daughter,
“Model railroading teaches online purchases, patrons
Luisa Danbi Grier Kim) — the
you not just about scenery
still want to feel items in their
inauguration of the first Black
building and track laying, but
hand.
American president, Barack
also about transportation, lo-
Obama.
gistics and history,” said Ham-
“We are trying to offer sav-
ilton. “I hope that this new
ings on all of our products
Though a lot of unneces-
store will not only serve as a
under the manufacturer’s sug-
sary cursing landed through-
Sunday, December 13, 2009
getaway for modeling enthusi-
gested price,” he said. “They
out the book (hopefully not in
asts but also become an asset
still want to touch the product an attempt to garner laughter),
4:00 P.M.
to Ferndale and metro Detroit
when they buy. That’s why I Grier is definitely comical in
as a place where imagination
enjoy going into a hobby shop. his delivery and more than Tickets - $10 in advance and at the door
and creativity are cultivated.”
People are maybe spending what many may perceive as a
washed up actor turned come-
Bushnell Congregational Church
more time at home, maybe
The store carries prod-
looking for things to do as a
dian turned author. 15000 Southfield Freeway
ucts for model trains, planes,
family. It allows for families to
boats, submarines and cars,
At the end of the day, he Detroit, MI
come together and everyone
including accessories for lay-
contends though the same
gets satisfaction out of creat-
outs such as scenery and digi-
triteness remains even after For more information, please visit our website, www.unitedvoicesofdetroit.org, or call
ing.”
tal control. Most repairs can
generations of blood, sweat
877.674.8863 (UVOD)
be made on-site. The store For more information on
and tears that was shed was
features a multi-functional Rainy Day Hobbies and its
finally acknowledged after
America swore in their first
"Promoting unity in the community through music"
gathering area that is used for products and services, visit
socializing, workshops, train- www.rainydayhobbies.com or
black president, there is Nina R. Scott, Founder/Director
ing sessions and parties, as call (248) 545-5667.
always optimistic humor in
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