the illest

what are the requirements for a successful outdoor public gathering in detroit over memorial day weekend? especially one celebrating techno and electronic music?

a guy called gerald spinning on a stage









multiracial breakdancers









portable toilets, aptly named "ameri cans"









a soundboard










big speakers












noguchi sculpture (left) with surveillance cameras (right)









u.s. border patrol






this bright and sunny memorial day, christina edward and i joined their friends frank, buvani and dan for demf.


i had very little experience in detroit before arriving in ann arbor last summer. i have enjoyed my time in the city, and go in frequently. (compared to many i know who never, never go downtown for anything). today, christina and edward and the others kept going on about how much better the downtown looks now as opposed to ten years ago when they arrived. i asked that we have a quick peek at what was on today in campus martius; edward and frank wanted to pop into the guardian but it was closed. campus martius looked really clean and green and pleasant in that privatized public space sort of way.

i came to detroit once in 2000 for a conference and was warned by the hotel staff against walking or running outside. and there were very, very few places to eat within walking distance of the ren cen, where the american studies association had convened. (this is in era when i was training and i ran on the stairmaster next to a sweaty, skinny andrew ross).

things have definitely changed. i know that many would still caution against being a pedestrian in the motor city, but the downtown core does look more hospitable and alive than i recall. christina remarked that there is a really different sentiment for sale at the various booths around the festival. today, there were lots of detroit-themed vendors with offering detroit-wares and gear. i.e. detroit wants to represent on your $30 tank top.

i had a great weekend with back to back days in the city. oddly and fondly, both days reminded me of my childhood...going to the art museum and to civic festivals in big modernist plazas. those were good habits and outing that my parents instilled in us as children.

and christina and edward offered lots of good ideas for my teaching on our car rides to and fro.