Nice mention of 7MJ from our friend Robert del Valle. Thanks for all the support in 2009. We hope his predictions for 2010 are right on.

http://www.realdetroitweekly.com/content/article_6002.shtml

Stage & Canvas (December 30, 2009)
By Robert del Valle
Dec 29, 2009, 12:30

It’s only a few hours before the inevitable anti-climax of another year ending and another one sputtering to life like a frozen car battery, so this column (which you have our permission to peruse after a full recovery from New Year’s Eve debauchery) will be filled with certain observations about the present and future art scene in our metropolis and environs ….

We Are, Could Be, Might Be …
… The Hollywood of the Midwest. That’s right. If one thing and one thing only has us truly excited these days, it’s the simple fact that (literally overnight) filmmakers have fallen in love with the celluloid possibilities of this city. And why not? You want post-apocalyptic ruins? Here. Elegant buildings whispering beauty and wealth? Here. The best and most well-preserved cars outside of Havana? Here. An art critic who wouldn’t say no to a walk-on or a cameo in … anyway, it’s here and then some. Something else that’s “here” is the forthcoming Detroit Independent Film Festival, an expansive and ambitious project in March that will reveal in no uncertain terms how much energy is on tap behind these scenes. Did we also happen to mention that an awful lot of overdue “urban renewal” takes place when a film crew needs to blow up something? More: detroitindiefest.com.

Those Worth a Listen:

Many an art event in this town has been enlivened, enhanced and rescued from the soporific effluvia of pontificating art critics (no names) by musical ensembles who have lent a welcome pinch of energy to the proceedings. We want to name two — and we also want to see these bands get more attention in the next 365 days. Gino Fanelli’s Red Hot Sugar Daddies provide sweet music and old school oomph every time.Providing an equal amount of gusto (albeit in a different vein — or voltage?) is 7 Million Jigawatts. For all you’ve done in 2009 — thanks!