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By Carol Cain Special to the Michigan Chronicle


With a new governor poised to take over in January – one


more sympathetic to the needs of the state’s largest city in Geof- frey Fieger’s opinion, the flamboyant attorney announced con- ditions would be ripe and thus he planned to run for mayor of Detroit.


“If not me, then who?” said Fieger said on WWJ-TV CBS De-


troit’s “Michigan Matters” where he talked about why he would run for the top job in the Motor City in 2013. Fieger considered a run for governor in the current contest,


but decided it was unwinnable for any Democrat. Though critics point to Gov. Jennifer Granholm’ leadership


and Democratic politics as reasons for the woes, Fieger said it was the failed policies of former President George W. Bush and his administration that were to blame.


When asked about the two men running to replace Granholm


— Republican candidate Rick Snyder and Democrat challenger Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero — and who he might support, the barrister would not commit.


“I will support the person who I think would help the state


most,” he said, adding the last Republican candidate he voted for was Bill Milliken, the moderate Republican governor.


“I am from here, was born in Harper Hospital and have had a


good life in Detroit and Michigan. I have three children here and I know I can help,” he said of a mayoral run.


Fieger, 59, lost by a landslide when he ran for governor in


1998 and has talked about running for mayor a few times. “I am not forming an exploratory committee or anything like


that,” he said. “I have decided and don’t need to do that.” A successful attorney with three children under the age of


10, he said that played a part in his decision not to run for gov- ernor. Three years from now they will be older and campaign easier on them.


Dave Bing, 67, former CEO of a steel supplier firm, began his


four-year term as Detroit’s mayor in January. “The mayor is focused on the challenges at hand, not the


Geoffrey Fieger


next campaign,” Bing spokeswoman Karen Dumas said when asked about his re-election plans.


THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE


August 18-24, 2010


Page D-3 Fieger wants to run for Detroit mayor in 2013


“He is singularly uninspiring,” Fieger said of Bing. Having a governor Fieger sees as supporting Detroit is criti-


cal. “I like that fact that either Snyder or Bernero will be governor


and will be supportive of Detroit. That is the reason I made the decision to run (for mayor),” he added.


Fieger was joined on the TV show by businesswoman Denise


Ilitch and radio personality Frankie Darcell. When the panel was asked about a White candidate’s chanc-


es of winning a mayoral post in the primarily African-American city, Darcell said Fieger would transcend racial lines.


“I have said for 10 years that Geoffrey would be the one White


candidate who could get elected,” she said, adding his direct, no nonsense style would help the Motor City fix its woes.


“I don’t mean any disrespect to the Mayor (Bing),” Darcell


added about her comments. The last White mayor in Detroit was Roman Gribbs, who


served 1970-74. Fieger also offered advice for Snyder, who is leading in post


primary polls by as much as 20 points. “The way it has been is not much happens between the pri-


mary and Labor Day. If (Rick (Snyder) wants to have this done and won by Sept. 1, all he needs to do is spend everything he can now. Put all of his money into a huge advertising buy for the next few weeks and Virg (Bernero) won’t be able to recover. The unions spent everything they had to get him through the primary.”


Fieger also said it would be a mistake for Snyder to adjust his


maverick style and to reach out to the Right to Life, west side of the state conservative faction.


“I know that is what the (news) papers are telling him to do.


That would be a huge mistake. He is where he is without them. He will go further reaching out to moderates,” he said.


“They (conservatives) will come to him. They have nowhere


else to go,” he added. Watch the Emmy Award winning “Michigan Matters” on


WWJ-TV CBS Detroit at 11 a.m. Saturday.


International performers headline African World Festival


The Charles H. Wright Museum of African


American History is presenting the 28th Annual African World Festival at Hart Plaza. Hours for the free event are Friday-Sunday, Aug. 20-22, noon to 11:30 p.m. It is a celebration of a full range of communities in the African Diaspora. On Saturday, a Parade of Nations will start at Cadillac Square and enter Hart Plaza at noon.


Weekend highlights include acclaimed De-


troit songstress Bettye LaVette, well-known reggae Third World, and another Detroit native, K-Jon.


“Detroit Supports Haiti” is a very special op-


portunity for the youth of Detroit and the youth of Haiti to communicate.


There will be four stages, more than a hun-


dred marketplace vendors, a variety of ethnic foods, visual arts exhibitions, informational sessions on issues ranging from community economic development to health, and a full range of entertainment for all ages.


FRIDAY, AUGUST 20 Noon, Main Stage


OPENING CEREMONY — Mayor Bing invited to join dignitaries 1 p.m. MEDIA ONLY:


“DETROIT SUPPORTS HAITI” Youth to Youth Skype-versation. Hospitality Suite under Main Stage The youth of Detroit and youth of Haiti will com-


municate through a Skype internet connection. 6:30 p.m. , Main Stage


D-Lux Mizik — A Haitian Kompa band based in Chicago whose lively music by eight world-class musicians. http://dluxmizik.spaces.live.com/


8:30 p.m.,, Main Stage SAVALLACE


Native Detroit Hip-Hop Soul Artist


http://www.myspace.com/savallace/music/playlists 10:00 p.m., Main Stage


K’JON — Native Detroit R&B Artist, a national sensation with his single “On the Ocean.” The New York Times praised K-Jon’s 2009 “I Get Around” as “one of this year’s most promising R&B albums,” noting that his debut single had been on Billboard’s Hot Adult R&B Airplay chart for almost six months. http://www.k-jon.com/


SATURDAY, AUGUST 21


11 a.m. Cadillac Square to Hart Plaza PARADE OF NATIONS Noon, Main stage LIBATIONS — Honoring the ancestors 1 p.m., Main Stage “A CONVERSATION ON BLACK ECONOMIC


WEALTH” with Bella Marshall and Don Barden of Barden Industries. Facilitated by Detroit Councilwom- an JoAnn Watson.


3 p.m. Main Stage


TRIBUTE TO OUR SHEROES & HEROES 5 p.m., Main Stage


TOBY FOYEH & ORCHESTRA AFRICA. Fast Lane International says this Nigerian contemporary High Life band’s music is “a melting pot created out of a unique fusion of traditional Nigerian Yoruba music including Highlife, Afrobeat, folklore with jazz, rock, pop, and Latin music. Though absorbing various western elements the music is fresh and original. http://www.tobyfoyeh.com/


7 p.m., Main Stage 7 p.m., Main Stage


BETTYE LaVETTE, “The Great Lady of Soul.” This Detroit native was selected for a key performance during the inauguration of President Barack Obama, LaVette wowed a worldwide audience with her rendi- tion of “A Change is Gonna Come” – a duo she per- formed with Jon Bon Jovi at the Lincoln Memorial. http://www.bettyelavette.com/


9:30 p.m. ,Main Stage


KINDRED THE FAMILY SOUL — Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon are a husband and wife R&B and neo-soul vocal duo from Philadelphia. Discovered and signed by Jill Scott, this talented couple released their debut CD, “Surrender to Love” in 2003. www. myspace.com/kindredthefamilysoulspace


SUNDAY, AUGUST 22 92.3FM LIVE BROAD-


CAST with GERALD McBRIDE, host of “Old School Dance Party” introduces headliner.


African World Festival Dancers


Noon, Main Stage LIBATIONS — Honoring the Ancestors 1 p.m., Main Stage


SPIRIT OF THE AFRICAN WORLD — Gospel fea- turing Revelation voices 3:30 p.m. , Main Stage AFRICAN NAMING CEREMONY 5 p.m., Main Stage


PENNY GODBOLDO INSTITUTE, The Legacy Project Detroit-based Afro-Cuban, Afro-Haitian and Dunham technique dance company.


7 p.m., Main Stage


AFROFLOW — Detroit-based performers. Leader Mike E says their sound “will probably fall under hip- hop, rap, world music or whatever, in the minds of marketers and consumers. My hope is that in the minds of music lovers it will inevitably emerge in2 lyrics without limits, beats without borders.” http:// www.thirdworldband.com/


9:30 p.m. ,Main Stage THIRD WORLD 35t


th anniversary tour of the


famed Jamaica-based reggae band that the world has heralded since the ’70s and ’80s, with hits like “Now That We’ve Found Love,” and “Try Jah Love.” http://www.thirdworldband.com/


Lower Level UNDERGROUND CAFÉ SATURDAY Aug. 21


3 p.m. “RHYTHM, ROOTS & RHYME POETRY SLAM COMPETITION”


Presented by the Detroit Jazz Festival, hosted by La Shaun Phoenix Moore 5:30 p.m. , Emcee: HEATHER J HENDERSON 5:45 p.m.


KAYLA RAQUEL, KAFI, SUMMER ALLEN, NA’KILAH SWEETZ Neo-Soul sounds Detroiters


6:45 p.m.


WRAPS, TAPS & NAPS HAIR EXTRAVAGANZA! PicNap.com presents Poetry


7:30 p.m. GWAII


Detroit-based, Tanzanian artist who swaggabovu. com sayshttp://www.swaggabovu.com/ “performs Reggae/World music with the purpose of edu-taining. His debut Album is due out later this year, he also has 2 duet albums in the works.”


8:30 p.m. SHANI D Detroit-based comic 8:45 p.m.


Underground Comedy Jam featuring TOMMY CHUNN Detroit native now a regular on the L.A. and national comedy circuit.


9:45 p.m. RAS KENTE & THE TAKE NO PRISONERS BAND


SATURDAY, AUGUST 21 Noon, JAZZ TRACKS 1 p .m., URBAN STRINGZ , Youth String Orchestra


3 p .m. ARTS LEAGUE OF MICHIGAN “JAZZ CAMP”


5:30 p.m. , GREG HOLSEY 9 p.m., JAZZ JAM: LINWOOD ENSEMBLE


SUNDAY, AUGUST 22 Noon – 7 p.m., JAZZ TRACKS


7 p.m., THORNETTA DAVIS, 2nd Anniversary Cel- ebration 9 p.m., JAZZ JAM: SBH TRIO, OPEN MIC


East Plaza HEALTHY LIVIN


FRIDAY, AUGUST 20 1 p.m., HIAWATHA CROMMER, “Raw Foods” 2 p.m., MAMA DNA, “Reflexology”


3 p.m., AMEN RA MENELIK, “The Force: Activating the Divine Healer Within” SATURDAY, AUGUST 21


PYRAMID ARTS STAGE SUNDAY, AUGUST 22


3 p.m. DETROIT TO THE WORLD HIP HOP Showcase 4 p.m. Emcee: DJ NEEDLE 4:30 p.m.,


Spoken word artists 5:30 p.m. INOHS SIVAD Singer songwriter


6 p.m. Next Level Entertainment presents 1st Annual PLUG ‘N PLAY MUSIC hosted by Butch Small


JAMM, 7 p.m.


57 DOEBOYZ, THE FACULTY, POETIC, DOLLAH JONES, FAT RAY, DOGMATIC 8:30 p.m. OGGUERE


River Patio


Rap Duo from Havana, Cuba NILE RIVER JAZZ CLUB


FRIDAY, AUGUST 20 Noon, JAZZ TRACKS 3:30 p.m. ,WILLIE C. LEWIS 5-9 p.m., BLUES JAM


Noon, RAY STONE, “Feeding Your Creativity”


1 p.m., ARI SHEN, “Natural Hair & Natural Hair Care”


2 p .m., MINISTER SALADIN, “Slave/Soul Food vs. Spiritual Nutrition”


4 p.m., SHESHETA EL, “Return of the Superhue- mans”


5 p .m., DR. KEEFA LORRAINE-WITHERSPOON, “Reactivating “The Healing in Your DNA through Energy Medicine”


6 p.m., DR. JESSE BROWN, “A Healer in Every Home”


8:30 p.m., PROJECT THEATRE COMPANY pres- ents “Honorable Mention: 48DET”


SUNDAY, AUGUST 22


Noon, BLACK MIND ALLAH, “Connecting the Dots through the Meridian System”


1 p .m., KEN HARDIN, “The Regeneration of the Blood”


2 p .m., GODDESS GODIS, “Women Embracing the Highest Vision”


2:30 p.m., GODDESS MAAT SEBA, “How to Regain and Maintain Optimum Health through Natural Rem- edies”


3 p.m., MICHAEL ROBINSON, “Eating Ourselves to Death: How Overconsumption is Killing the African American Community”


4 p .m., NILE VALLEY GROUP, LLC, “Medical Marijuana”


5 p.m., BROADSIDE PRESS, “Readings In Memo- riam: poet and playwright RON ALLEN


CROWN ROYAL, ALICIA


CRAFTER, KALIMAH JOHNSON, HONEYCOMB, PEACE


7 p.m., NATURAL HAIR SHOW, presented by Broth- er Ari Shen of “Happy to Be Nappy”


8:30 p.m., PROJECT THEATRE COMPANY pres- ents “Honorable Mention: 48DET”


Jefferson Lawn WATOTO VILLAGE FRIDAY, AUGUST 20


PERFORMANCES FOR WRIGHT MUSEUM MEM- BERS’ ONLY — Museum membership card must be presented for admission


6 p.m., OMOWALE CULTURE SOCIETY, African drum and dance


6:30 p.m., NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL THEATRE, “Beauty and the Beast” String Puppet Performance


7:30 p.m., PROJECT THEATRE COMPANY pres- ents “Honorable Mention: 48DET”


SATURDAY, AUGUST 21


Noon-9 p.m., MAKE & TAKE ACTIVITY TENTS, FACE PAINTING & GAMES


Noon, ARTOLOGY, MUSIC & THE SCIENCE OF SOUND presented by the Arts League of Michigan and Cranbrook Institute of Science - funded by The Knight Foundation


2:30 p.m., AFRICAN DRUM & DANCE


3 p .m., NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL THEATRE, “Beauty and the Beast” String Puppet Performance


4:30 p.m., Storyteller RHONDA REYES 6 p .m., NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL THEATRE, “Beauty and the Beast” String Puppet Performance


7:30 p.m., AFRICAN DRUM & DANCE


SUNDAY, AUGUST 22 Noon-9 p .m., MAKE & TAKE ACTIVITY TENTS, FACE PAINTING & GAMES


2:30 p.m., NATIOANAL EDUCATIONAL THEATRE, “Beauty and the Beast” String Puppet Performance


3:30 p.m., AFRICAN DRUM & DANCE


5 p.m., NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL THEATRE. “Beauty and the Beast” String Puppet Performance


6 p.m., ARTOLOGY, MUSIC & THE SCIENCE OF SOUND


7:30 p.m., ARTOLOGY, MUSIC & THE SCIENCE OF SOUND


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