ROD's Summer Trip To Michigan (2011) - Part I DAY 1: 1917 American Bistro / Dabl's African Bead Gallery / Ruth Ellis Center

DETROIT! DETROIT! DETROIT!

Say whatever want about the economic climate of the country, and most especially Detroit with the fall of the car industry, BUT BABY, LET ME TELL YOU, THERE IS PLENTY TO CELEBRATE IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN! After having an awesome time at the 25th Annual and Silver Anniversary of the ADODI Summer Retreat in Hamilton, New York, I drove back via Canada (with passport in hand) in our van with some friends to Michigan. I spent the next 7 days, mostly in Detroit, but also in Ann Arbor and Canton, Michigan as well. I had an AWESOME time and wanted to share my adventures and some of the really nice Black businesses that I patronized throughout this summer trip.

So... in my mind there are some compelling reasons to visit Detroit; and if you live in Detroit, there's some places to (re)visit.

I will be posting my trip over multi-part segments.


DAY 1: Monday, July 25th, 2011...

All Photography

Copyright © 2011 ROD PATRICK RISBROOK

Chillin' In The Wee Hours Of Monday Morning
With My Friends Louis, Calvin and Curtis

Curtis' Beautiful Art In The House

My Friend Yes Looking at Michael-Christopher's
Newly Published Coffee Table Book Called
MAN: BLACK
- And YES! The Book Is Available For Sale
At Michael-Christopher's Official Website:
michael-christopher.com

Copyright © 2011 Michael-Christopher

NEXT... later in the afternoon Curtis suggested we go to 1917 American Bistro (aka 1917). I have to tell you: the food was phucking outstanding as well as the customer service...

A Side Wall Mural at 1917. BEAUTIFUL ART!

Click Images To Enlarge

The Manager Brought Out Our Food.
The Blackened Fish, Salmon, Sauteed Spinach
And Smashed (That's What They Call It) Potatoes
Were So, So Good

Yes And Calvin Were In "Heat" Over One Of The Waiters.
We Found Out His Name Was Robert...

Yes And Calvin were real serious when they insisted I take pictures of him. They were like, "Get some damn pictures!". He's physically gifted, yet (and in all seriousness) was very attentive to his customers he waited on. A very cute brutha all the way around (no pun intended) and nice personality it seemed...

Okaaaaayyy...!

1917 has 2 floors: the main/ground level was where we ate; later on we went upstairs where there is more seating and an outdoor deck. The decor was really nice. There is beautiful art hanging throughout the establishment...

Yes And Calvin Looking Around
At Some Of The Hanging Artwork

The upstairs area, though open to customers, was being improved and a carpenter brutha was working on what appears to be another bar..

Calvin And Yes At "1917" Upstairs On The Outdoor Deck


GO Visit A Black Business Y'all!

1917 American Bistro
19416 Livernois Avenue
(Between St Martins Avenue and S. Outer Drive)
Detroit, Michigan 48221
313-863-1917
GOOGLE MAP

Official Website:
1917americanbistro.com

&

While In The Car,
I Took A Photo Of These Kids Walking Around In Detroit

Detroit In Known For Their Massive Chains of "Coney Island"
Stores. They Specialize In Hot DOgs...

According to Wikipedia: Coney Island hot dog (also Coney dog or Coney) refers to a natural casing beef hot dog, topped with an all-meat beanless chili, and diced or chopped white onions with one or two strips of yellow mustard. The variety is a fixture in Jackson, Flint, Detroit, and southeastern Michigan. Despite the name, the "Coney Island" preparation style has little direct association with Coney Island, New York itself, beyond a recognition of the birthplace of the original hot dog.

I'm from Coney Island, Brooklyn, and so... WE ARE THE ORIGINAL CONEY ISLAND, Baby! I LOVE YOU Detroit, but you bitin' (aka copying) y'all!


NEXT... we went to Dabl's African Bead Gallery/Mbad Museum. I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY BEADS IN ONE PLACE IN ALL MY LIFE..

MBAD'S African Bead Museum
6559 Grand River Avenue
(between W. Grand Blvd and Dexter Avenue)
Detroit, Michigan 48208
(313) 898-3007
GOOGLE MAPS

Official Website: mbad.org

Bead Gallery Hours: 12pm to 7pm Mon-Sat.

We are a major repository for African artifacts- including sculptures, textiles, pottery, and bead works dating back hundreds of years, from countless cultures throughout Africa.

We also carry the finest selection of beads for sale.

We offer guided tours (by reservation) and have 3 outside Public Art installations:
- Iron Teaching Rocks How To Rust
- The N'Kisi Iron House
- African Language Wall

We look forward to seeing you!

Calvin, Yes and Myself (Not Pictured) Were Greeted By A Brutha
(DAMN! I Forgot His Name - Sorry Bro!) To The Gallery

THIS BRUTHA WITH TH AFRICAN MASK
CAN PLAY FOR PHREAKIN' DRUMS!!!

It Was A Little Tempting To Purchase That
Walking Stick/Cane!
Beautifully Designed/Crafted!!

These Are The Drums Out Back On The Side Of The Building.
The Brutha In The African Mask Playing Them Said
He Positioned Them There On Purpose
Because It Makes The Drum Sounds Travel For Blocks
When The Sound Bounces From The Brick Wall

I Figured It'd Make For An Interesting
& Artistic Self-Portrait Mirror Shot

I LOVE THIS SHOT!!!

This IS A Wall Much Further Out Back
As Part Of The Mbad Museum.
I Thought I Caught The Sun Nicely

A Little Lens Flare Is Good For Ya!

Well, there's only one original "BIG ROD" so I think someone co-opted my name and changed it around. I'll take the flattery...

NEXT... we stopped off at the Ruth Ellis Center. Ruth C. Ellis was a Black same gender loving woman. She was an activist who transitioned and believed to be the oldest SGL sistah at 101 years old.

The center is a safe haven for Black SGL youth in Detroit.

Ruth Ellis Center
(Founded: 1999)
77 Victor Street
Highland Park, Michigan 48203

GOOGLE MAP

Ruth Ellis Center Overview:

The Ruth Ellis Center is one of the nation's three, and the midwest's only agency dedicated to serving homeless LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-atractional, Transgender and Questioning) youth.

The LGBTQ population is overly represented in the runaway and homeless youth population. The needs of these young people include shelter, food, clothing and healthcare and may also include addressing the problems of addiction, alcohol abuse and sexual exploitation. LGBTQ street youth also face the added burden of dealing with internal conflicts and social ostracism.

Official Facebook Page:

Magazine and Pamphlet Resources

Bulletin Board Resources

A Laundry Pantry For The Youth To Wash Their Clothes
And Have Shoe s To Wear

The Kitchen Area

Birthday Remembers For Ruth Ellis

The Computer Center Area

Calvin Reading The Wall Materials

The Youth Created Multiple Murals
On The Side Wall Of The Ruth Ellis Center

And I Thought Only In New York City!
Detroit Has Their Hot Rod Rides, Too!

SEE NEXT
ROD's Summer Trip To Michigan (2011) - Part II
DAY 3: Motown Museum / KICK's 2nd Annual Boat Ride

When Love Takes Over: A Celebration of SGL Couples of Color By Darian Aaron

“The love shared between eighteen black same-gender loving couples emerges out of the shadows and into the light. The time has come for black love to be recognized in its totality…and the time is now.”

Barnes & Noble

Border Books

iUniverse

BUY NOW!

When Love Takes Over: A Celebration of SGL Couples of Color exclusively profile eighteen African- American same gender loving couples who are in committed long term relationships. The couples detail how they met, their journey towards self-acceptance, liberation and ultimately how they fell in love and maintain their relationships. All the while defying the myth that two black men are incapable of loving each other for a lifetime.

Darian Aaron is the creator and editor of the urban SGL blog Living Out Loud with Darian. His work has appeared in The Advocate, The Daily Voice, The LA Times, GBM News and CLIK Magazine. He is currently pursuing a degree in journalism at Georgia Perimeter College. When Love Takes Over: A Celebration of SGL Couples of Color is his first book. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia.

I am thrilled to announce that the book that caused my long hiatus from the blog last year is now available for purchase. When Love Takes Over: A Celebration of SGL Couples of Color is based on the popular Coupled Up series from loldarian.com and exclusively profiles eighteen African-American gay couples who are in committed long-term relationships. The couples detail how they met, their journey towards self-acceptance, liberation and ultimately how they fell in love and maintain their relationships. All the while defying the myth that two black men are incapable of loving each other for a lifetime.

The arrival of this book is timely and necessary. The gay and mainstream media has largely ignored black same-gender loving men who have formed nurturing and long-term relationships, even worse; the love shared between these brave men have often been met with hostility from individuals within their own community. But finally, the diversity that exists within both the African-American and gay communities are laid out in the pages of “When Love Takes Over” for the entire world to see.

- Darian

Darian's Blog:
Living Out Loud With Darian

The Wait Is Over: When Love Takes Over: A Celebration of SGL Couples of Color Debuts

Location of Outwrite Bookstore On
GOOGLE MAPS

Coupled Up: Damien & Seanmichael