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“X ²”  was released in ’96 by Electric Soul, which is one of many aliases used by techno/house  producer Mike Banks. The electro-funk track became a staple during late-night mixes on Detroit radio and was released as a single on Direct Beat and the label’s Techno Bass: The Mission compilation. Banks is a key figure in Detroit’s techno and house music scene of the ’80’s through the ’90’s because of his contribution on several seminal records and the co-founding of  the group Underground Resistance and Submerge distribution. The Submerge building in Detroit is to techno what Hitsville U.S.A. is to Motown because of all the music history it holds as well as having the city’s only techno museum. Both organizations were inspired by the auto industry and are housed on the same street. “X ²” is one of Submerge’s many releases to epitomize the city’s electric ghetto funk. Mike Banks is currently touring Europe with Underground Resistance.

Detroit, Mich. – On August 2, 2014, Sidewalk Festival of Performing Arts, an outdoor celebration of site-specific performance and installation art, will fill the courtyards, sidewalks, storefronts and gardens in and around Artist Village Detroit (17340 Lahser, Detroit, MI 48219) with engaging site-specific work from 3:00-9:00 p.m. Sidewalk celebrates the architecture, culture and artistry of Detroit places through site-specific performance and installation.

Sidewalk’s mission is to promote visual and performing arts in Detroit by transforming public, unique and under-used property into non-traditional performance venues. Sidewalk stimulates pedestrian traffic and engagement in unique Metro-Detroit places by repurposing space for live visual and performing arts. Sidewalk Festival of Performing Arts is an annual event that promotes place-making and creative use of space in Detroit.

This years highlights will include, Site Specific Theater- Pop Up Shakespeare- Modern Dance- House Dance- Interactive Art- Experimental Jazz- Progressive Hip Hop- Spoken Word featuring
Passalacqua
Detroit Party Marching Band
Tunde Olaniran
New York Guest Artist Dulcinea Detwah (native Detroit)
Underground Resistance presenting D3
New York Guest artist Alexa Dexa creating sound sculptures from found objects. Sculptures are interactive
Chicago guest artist: Raks Geeks (sci-fi belly dance )
Mosaic Youth Theater
A big focus this year is on interactive artwork:
We will have an interactive carboard art installation
30 foot fiber art “Art Tunnel” that people can walk through,

Detroit is internationally renowned for its unique architecture and rich artist heritage. Sidewalk will present the work of a diverse collection of dance companies, theater troupes, musicians, and visual artists who are making non-traditional and avant-garde work specifically informed by the landscape and culture of the city.

Last years highlights include Kresge Award winners Hardcore Detroit and Passalaqua celebrating hip hop; Parangoles Playhouse, a tribute to Brazilian and urban wearable art installed in the “Art Alley;” movement and poetry collaboration between poetess Jessica Care Moore and modern dance company Jungle Statement; and pop-up Shakespeare performances from Magenta Giraffe Theater Company.

3-9 PM – Admission – $10 Donation suggested

Artist Village Detroit
17340 Lahser
Detroit, MI 48219

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The Jit was a popular dance in Black communities in Detroit during the ’70’s and the ’80’s. The McGhee Brothers, who pioneered the dance as The Jitterbugs, are the focus of the documentary, The Jitterbugs: Pioneers Of The Jit. Haleem “Stringz” Rasul Ar-Rasheed, who is the founder of the Hardcore Detroit dance company is the film’s director. The film’s soundtrack was scored by Underground Resistance and Malik Alston and Detroit radio legend John Mason provides the narration. A May 23rd premiere is scheduled to take place at the Detroit Institute Of Arts at no cost to the public. There will be a reception event and a performance from The Jitterbugs.

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A press conference for the 7th Annual SCP/UR Backpack Music Festival was held in downtown Detroit yesterday. The two-day event held in New Center Park is designed to raise money to buy school supplies and backpacks Detroit Public School students. In the video clip above Derrick May and Mike Banks of Underground Resistance talk about why they are involved in the event. Jeff Mills, Derrick May, Juan Atkins, Galaxy 2 Galaxy and Eddie Fowlkes will perform at the event that costs $10 with a backpack or $20 to attend. You can find out more about the August 4-5 festival by clicking on any of the links below.

www.backpackmusicfestival.com
www.scpmichigan.org
www.submerge.com
www.undergroundresistance.com
www.kerologistics.com