Memorial Day weekend, Detroit City FC hosted a soccer match against FC United of Manchester, England. I witnessed our rabid Northern Guard supporters march the streets of Hamtramck from their Fowling Warehouse pregame hangout to Keyworth Stadium. (No, fowling does not involve chickens; itβs throwing footballs at bowling pins β drinks optional, but recommended.)
Before the match, alternating American and British tunes blasted over the PA. The MC5βs βAmerican Ruseβ got me thinking about how some 50 years ago, the band started rocking the Grande Ballroom (see page 32).
Itβs sort of fitting Manchesterβs first-ever U.S. soccer match was here. After all, emerging British Invasion band The Who premiered its legendary rock opera, Tommy, at the Grande.
Sadly, I never went to the Grande. While my older brother saw Iggy, Alice Cooper, and Frost, my preteen mind couldnβt comprehend why Mom and Dad wouldnβt let me go.
Meanwhile, the British visitors I hung out with during the match had nice things to say about Detroit β even our local beer (Axleβs City Pale Ale). While Detroitβs fans were nice to Manchesterβs, the Grande wasnβt always so βnurturingβ to visitors. The MC5βs βKick Out the Jamsβ was reportedly a warning to out-of-town bands (βKick out the jams or get the f*** off stageβ). Iβm sure that The Who held their own quite nicely.
On a more serious note, in this issue we chronicle Detroit Public Schoolsβ long decline, and a potential new βdebtfreeβ start (page 94). We also explore how several local school districtsβ Promise Zones offer free college education (page 46).
We have more global connections, too. Thereβs a visit with world-renowned bassist Ron Carter, Artist-in-Residence for this yearβs Detroit Jazz Festival (page 48), and an art exhibit with a connection to the Planetary Community Chicken. Seriously, it has nothing to do with fowling.
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