BRUEGEL AT THE DIA - DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS PAINTING RESTORATION - THE WEDDING DANCE >>>>>>

Pieter Bruegel’s, “Wedding Dance” from the year 1566 is really one of the great jewels of the Detroit Institute of Arts. This is an amazing piece that was acquired by the DIA in 1930, ( for a sum of $38,000 which is roughly half a million in todays money) and for the first time in a long time you can get the entire story.This classic painting has been fully restored and and is presented in a unique 360 viewing presentation where you can actually walk around the entire piece. This entire painting has been demystified and there is an entire presentation created for the big renovation project. There was a complete examination of the paintngs and drawings beneath the finished work that took four years to complete. Get the inside story about Bruegel's Masterpiece THE WEDDING DANCE at the Detroit Institute of Arts Here >>>>

BRITART REVOLUTION - BROOKLYN MUSEUM SHOW REVIEW >>>>

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK - This story goes back to January 2001. I was invited to come to a very unique art show at the Brooklyn Museum of Art. This was reported as the big banned art show from the U.K. The web was still pretty shoddy when it came to search engines back then, so I will just tell you this story from memory. Britart Artrage - the story of the Britart Revolution >>>>

CANTU RETURNS TO THE CANVAS
NEW CANVASES FROM ROCK AND ROLL TO HEAVEN >>>

Detroit – The late 80’s ushered in a wild time of International Art Exhibitions, late night art after parties and extreme events. It was whirlwind. I grew up in that time and I didn’t even know that kind of life was even possible. Once I got a taste of it I didn’t want to let it go. Nothing even came close to it. In 1988, I was introduced
to Chicago for the first time and I quickly discovered that it was a hub of International art trade, amazing late night spots
and it was a 24 hour town. I wanted to be part of that bubble and from that point on did not view things under the same lens as anyone else. The travels led me to SOHO, New York and even opening an art gallery in Ann Arbor, Michigan with
friends who were under the same spell. See the full artistic journey showcasing rock and roll excess and spiritual Heaven >>>>

VAN GOGH IN AMERICA - COMES TO DETROIT THE DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS SHOW >>>>>

DETROIT – The Detroit Institute of Arts is putting together and unforgettable event with, “Van Gogh in America”.This show showcases how Van Gogh’s popularity built up in the U.S. in the 20th century. Van Gogh is a Dutch Post Impressionist painter and was one of the artists who inspired the Fauve movement, (the wild beasts). He is known for his eccentric use of color, pastel shades and impasto technique. Vincent Van Gogh in America Is Coming To Detroit - at the Detroit Institute Of Arts >>>>

LOVING VINCENT FILM THE LAST DAYS OF VAN GOGH >>>>>

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - The artwork of Vincent Van Gogh is an amazing testimony to his sincere heart, and determination to be understood. He is a man that truly believed that there was beauty in everything and that it was all around us. The film “Loving Vincent” probes into Van Gogh’s final days, and uncovers unknown facts about his short life. The animated film is unique in that it took seven years to make and 65,000 oil paintings. Artists were employed around the world and it was funded through the Polish Film Institute. Loving Vincent Film Review and Thoughts >>>>>>

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY MUSICAL WILLY WONKA COMES TO DETROIT >>>>

Detroit – This is whimsical tale. Not just Charlie and his discovery of Willy Wonka and his amazing Chocolate Factory but how I actually got the see the play in itself. You see, I won a real Golden Ticket! You might be thinking that I am just too old for that sort of thing and maybe the rules for fun do not apply to someone such as myself but it happened. And it happened in a very unusual way.

You see I have this whole soundtrack of, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” engraved into my subconscious memory. It is fixated there permanently and will not be removed. That is why when I saw the mannequin in the 12 Oaks Mall storefront window I stood frozen in my tracks. I knew exactly what I was looking at the minute I fixed my eyes on it. I was staring at Willy Wonka’s suit, the fictional candy maker extroadinare by author Roald Dahl) There was a sign next to it announcing the upcoming play, “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory” musical LIVE at the Detroit Opera House. If you would take a selfie with the suit and tag it with #12OaksMall and #BroadwayinDetroit you could win 4 tickets to see this incredible play on opening night. It sounded to good to be true but I did it anyways. GET THE WHOLE STORY of Willy Wonka and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Musical here >>>>>

THE FLESHTONES - PARDON US FOR LIVING BUT THE GRAVEYARD IS FULL MOVIE REVIEW >>>>

Holy Super Rock Manna from Heaven it's the glorious Fleshtones on the big screen. There is a great chance you never heard of them but they are one of the great sounds to come out of New York in 1976. The Fleshtones first blasted on the CBGB's stage at a time when Punk Rock was the preferred sound. These guys had a handle on garage rock and blending in the sounds of R&B, '60s dance-rock, and good ol rock and roll. This is the definitive story about this legendary band from all the original members. It is a treasure I assure you.

NEW YORK DOLL MOVIE REVIEW >>>>

There was a time when rock and roll was dangerous. There still may be some danger attached to some of it now depending where you look but overall it is a pretty sanitized artistic experience. The film, “New York Doll” (directed by Greg Whiteley) examines the life of New York Dolls drummer Arthur Killer Kane. This looks at the early gritty days of forming the band in New York in 1972 and follows up his last days. The Dolls were a proto-punk, alchohol, drug fueled machine that was into mayhem and shock value. They were never a commercial success but they did manage to leave a cult like following and gain a tremendous amount of heart and street cred.