'High-Tech Soul' comes (back) to Detroit

If you live in the Metro Detroit area, you probably know that techno music was founded here.

You probably also know that Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May and Juan Atkins are the trio of guys that created the genre.

What you may not know about, though, are the things that propelled techno - a combination of drum machines, synthesizers, samplers and keyboards - from modest local popularity to red-hot international stardom.

Lucky for you, local filmmaker-Gary Bredow created High Tech Soul, a documentary focused on those beginning stages.

Detroiters can get a sneak-peak of Bredow's film this Saturday before it hits theaters this summer.

With the aide of Paxahau, producer of this year's Movement Festival, and Detroit by Design, 'High Tech Soul'-- heralded at both the Ann Arbor Film Fest and last year's SMMASH Fest -- will be shown at the Masonic on Saturday, April 22.

Presale tickets are $25 -- get 'em online or in person at Recordtime in Ferndale or at Neptune Records in Royal Oak.

Doors open at 9 pm and the film starts at 10. After-party to follow with special guests Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson, Carl Craig and Juan Atkins.

The Masonic is located at 500 Temple Avenue in Detroit.

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Spring into Action

Spring has sprung, and we all know what that means - time to get outdoors and get active.

What better way to do both things - and raise money for a worthy cause - than by partaking in Detroit Synergy's upcoming fun run?

Whether you're looking to hone those running skills or just want to enjoy Detroit's great outdoors, Metro Detroiters of all skill levels are invited to participate in "Spring into Nature", a 5k fun-run/walk that's happening on Saturday, April 29, at Belle Isle.

Endorsed by the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports, the 3.1-mile route begins and ends at the Belle Isle Nature Zoo (BINZ), a free, year-round educational and recreational facility on Belle Isle that offers a variety of programs focused on wildlife and natural habitats.

Registering for the event is easy -- register online, print an application and mail it in, or sign-up on race day (cash only).

Adults that register early (before April 23) pay just $15; children 14 and under are $12. Late registration (April 23 - race day) is $20 for all ages.

All proceeds benefit the Belle Isle Nature Zoo (BINZ).

For more details, please visit Detroit Synergy on the web, or e-mail runbelleisle@detroitsynergy.org

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Hooray for Detroit Tigers Opening Day!

Baseball lovers from all over Metro Detroit gathered in downtown Detroit today to celebrate one of the area's most popular pasttimes: the Detroit Tigers' home opener.

Take me out to the ballgame,
Take me out to the crowd.

Buy me some peanuts and crackerjacks,
I don't care if I never get back.



Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win it's a shame.



For it's one, two, three strikes you're out,
At the old ball game!

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When a different kind of car was king

Transportation Riders United (TRU) - a regional non-profit organization focused on transportation access and quality in Metro Detroit - is marking the 50th anniversary of Detroit's last streetcar with a series of transportation-related exhibits in four Detroit People Mover stations this Saturday.



From noon to 4 p.m., interested individuals can view historic maps, memorabilia and photographs from Detroit's streetcar era - which came to a fateful end in the spring of 1956 - as well as exhibits focused on the area's present transportation system and discussions about its future.

Open to the public, Saturday's event is just 50 cents - the cost to ride the People Mover.

Attendees are instructed to board the DPM at either the RenCen or Financial District stations.



A charity preview of the event - called 'A Desire Named Streetcar' - takes place on the evening of Friday, April 7.

The progressive party kicks-off at 5:30 pm with a guided tour of the exhibits, presentations, prizes and appetizers. An after-glow in the promenade of the Guardian Building will follow.

Suggested donations for the fundraiser range from $50 - $200 per person.

For more information on these upcoming TRU-events, or to learn more about the positive things TRU is doing to promote regional transportation, please visit them on the web.

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