From the cradle: First books of poetry to savor

By Heather A. McMacken

Published: 12/5/2007

Types: Arts, Literature, Poetry

Last year, Detroit saw many talented male poets earn book publication, such as Robert Fanning and Peter Markus. But the tables have turned. In 2007, it's the ladies who rule. These five books are the best of our very best, and they're all first books by women. Soluble Fish by Mary Jo Firth G...[MORE]

Gets hard for language

By Heather A. McMacken

Published: 5/9/2007

Types: Arts, Literature, Poetry

The Gods of Poetry Superior Spirit, Elevated tone's a must. It fits!    Oh, how I long to write Oh, And NOT illicit eye-rolls. How I'd relish a T.S. sassy-horse, A deliciously lofty Wasteland.   The Occasional Some remnants remain.    This aftern...[MORE]

Weird science: Open your eyes to Topher Crowder’s world

By Heather A. McMacken

Published: 5/2/2007

Types: Arts, Visual arts

The hours spent staring at toasters, pigeons, gingerbread men, math equations, futuristic gadgets and DNA strands — if you're up to the challenge — will be some of the strangest of your life. These hours, squinting at the grotesque black and white drawings by Topher Crowder, will b...[MORE]

Wandering in wonder: One-eyed bears and glowing bulls dance in playful chaos

By Heather A. McMacken

Published: 2/21/2007

Types: Arts, Visual arts

For my friend and I, pulling open a particular red door in Detroit on an otherwise normal Saturday afternoon reveals a weird and wacky world just for the two of us. This world is Zeitgeist Gallery, transformed into the realm of Playful Chaos, an "on-growing" installation show by Jacob Mont...[MORE]

Visions of visions : Novelist sees a utopia in the Midwest

By Heather A. McMacken

Published: 1/31/2007

Types: Arts, Literature, Books

You can't help but be charmed by Beth, just as you also can't help but be charmed by her creator, 42-year-old Annette Gilson.Seated inches from Gilson (she in a brown leather chair, I on a small couch beside) at a Caribou Coffee, I somehow feel as if her exuberance is catching — as if her...[MORE]

Love giftin’: Six ways to channel your inner Plath, Rimbaud or old Buk’ and not look like a jackass

By Heather A. McMacken

Published: 12/20/2006

Types: Arts, Literature, Poetry

Broke as hell this holiday season? Invoke your creative powers this year and give a gift that's meaningful — not some overpriced trinket you picked up at Somerset. Give a poem instead. Give one or three or 15. Yeah, you could knit a cute scarf or burn some fabulous music mixes ... but it's ...[MORE]