THE SOUTH END | Wednesday, October 4, 2006 A&E 3 Welcome back ʻMy Country, My Countryʼ at the DFT Hockeytown Never heard of it? Well that’s OK, because everyone else has. The bar is packed whenever there is a home hockey game, so unless you’re NIKI JONES claustrophobic or hate fun — Assistant A&E Editor run, don’t walk, to Cobo Joe’s. CJ’s serves food till 2 a.m. and Michigan sports fans hold has spicy hot bartenders spit- an unconditional motherly- ting fire throughout the night. type love for three teams; the It’s a great place to go before, Tigers, Pistons and their Red or after the game. Best part: Wings especially. It feels like It’s right next to Cobo Hall. only yesterday the Wing’s skated past the cup, but it’s The Detroiter Bar Hockeytown season again and 655 Beaubien St., Detroit they need our support more Ever crave a dive bar with then ever. a great beer selection and big We’ve endured many a dis- screen TVs? Look no further, appointment from the Pistons The Detroiter is right for you. and Wings over the years. The bar features drink spe- However, people are still cials, sports and even musical glued to their TVs cheering on entertainment. A Detroit clas- their favorite Detroit players. sic and Wings shuttle central, Yelling profanities at the The Detroiter is a bar where ref, eating junk-food till the staff will know your name you’re green and washing it by your third visit. down with cheap beer is a sports lover’s fantasy. But why Beaubien Street Saloon do it alone? If you can’t make 641 Beaubien St., Detroit it to the game, then at least It’s not the largest, but it’s visit one of the many sports a lively place to grab a brew bars near the action. before the big game. During Here’s an easy guide to the hockey, expect standing room hoppin’ spots with the flowing only. But be open to meet spouts: some fearless Wings allies before heading to watch the JOSH WILLIAMS / COURTESY OF ZEITGEIST FILMS Hockeytown Café battle. The burgers and beers Captain Kris Scarcliff points to a wall of election posters in “My Country, My Country.” It runs at the Detroit Film Theater of the 2301 Woodward Ave., are cheap in cost, but not in Detroit Institute of Arts, Thursday Oct. 5 through Saturday, Oct. 7. Detroit taste. The name should say You can conveniently park GORDON SMITH power or water, Fallujah is than the result. age is poignant enough without enough, but Hockeytown is for free in the Casino, pre- Contributing Writer effectively a battlefield and “You folks are going to explanation. The result: unfil- the hockey-heads headquar- game it up and then head into In Iraq’s confusion, it is Kurds supporting the coalition be on television all over the tered truth – a welcome relief ters. There’s tons of hockey a cab for a safe, short trip to difficult to sense what is doubt legitimate elections can world,” said a U.S. official from mass media. memorabilia, larger than life Joe Louis. Who knew hav- real. Media and governments occur under such conditions. in a speech to the Iraqi elec- The simple, elegant plasma screens and it’s located ing someone else drive when quickly discredit information, Riyadh’s perspective is tion police force. “You have soundtrack and lingering shots directly across from Comerica you’re drunk would be so fun? leaving behind uncertainty. revealing. In a powerful scene, a front row at one of the best of Iraq’s landscape convey the Park. This atmosphere is what makes Riyadh visits Abu Ghraib to shows that’s going to be in emotions of a marred country, It has great food and drink Now is the time to head Laura Poitras’ documentary document chronic illnesses. the world.” One of the police- suffering from years of a cruel specials almost every night, downtown and be part of the enlightening. There he encounters prisoners men asked for clarification of dictator and an unstable take- like $0.25 wings on Tuesdays. magic that could be the Cup. “My Country, My Country” incarcerated more than a year “show,” but the damage was over. With an intelligent, cheer- Detroit has a large bar selec- follows Dr. Riyadh, a Sunni without investigation and a 9- done. “My Country, My Country,” ful staff to accommodate all tion, that’s often tapped by medical doctor running for year-old boy behind the barbed As the election nears, vio- will be shown at the Detroit your hockey-loving needs, locals and not enough by sub- parliament, and his family in wire. lence escalates with car bombs Film Theater. The DFT is Hockeytown is a gigantic res- urbanites. If you’re not from the months before Iraq’s 2005 “We’re an occupied country and executions of election offi- located behind the Detroit taurant with an even bigger the area, and still haven’t gone elections. with a puppet government. cials. Noting the premature- Institute of Arts at 5200 hockey spirit. downtown to celebrate, keep Although he’s critical of What do you expect?” Riyadh ness of the elections, Riyadh’s Woodward Ave. in mind “There ain’t no party America’s occupation, Riyadh shouts as prisoners grow angry. family said someone might Discounts tickets, at $6.50, Cobo Joe’s like a Detroit party.” supports the elections. If the When the camera’s focus film voting areas to kill voters are available for students with 422 W. Congress St., Detroit Islamic Party, his neighbor- leaves Riyadh, it turns to how later, or that the dye on voters’ IDs, DIA members and senior hood and Sunnis boycott the the election process is being fingers might red flag insur- citizens. General admission is election, they will be left out handled. In an attempt to make gents. $7.50. of Iraq’s future. the elections seem independent Poitras takes a hands-off Show times are Thursday Slumber Party While he attempts to con- of U.S. forces, an Australian approach to filming. Unlike Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m. or Friday, vince neighbors to vote, fair security force is contracted to most documentaries, “My Oct. 5 and Saturday, Oct. 6 at and safe elections seem to run security. It almost seems as Country, My Country” lacks 9:30 p.m. Visit www.dia.org/dft “MUSIK“ become less of a possibility. if America is more concerned the typical narration and inter- for more info. Most of Baghdad is without about the image of the election views. The dialogue and foot- Kill Rock Stars

shoegaze and space-rock sound Various Artists that originally was part of Slumber Party’s sound on tracks “Chrome Children” “Shinola Vol. 1” “Becuz” and “Late Nite,” with overdriven guitars, real drums, organs and synths. Stones Throw Chocodog “Destruction/Construction” could be about a failing relation- ship needing to be abandoned. DJ/producer Peanut Butter Their influences are outra- “Sometimes destruction is better Wolf, is notorious for put- geous, and they’re silly. than construction,” Berg sings. ting out distinctively organic, Ween’s what you’d get — if Her pop sensibilities shine expertly sampled hip-hop. George Clinton, Jimi Hendrix, It’s dangerous for a band to on “Madeupmind” and “Late Stones Throw artists con- Beck, Miles Davis and Tony change their music after estab- Nite,” which sound like ‘60s sistently create some of the Bennett were kidnapped. That lishing a solid fan base. But pop with dirty synths. Slow- most innovative beats to grace is, if you force fed them acid Slumber Party, a Detroit all-girl burners, “Hey Hey China” and the ears of backpackers, beat and set them loose in ’s outfit, ventured off their nor- “Electric Cave,” help round out junkies and the few ventur- studio while he was on tour. mal track on its fourth release, the record. ing beyond the cookie-cutter You probably won’t get it “musik.” Poppy, spacey and experi- realms of top-40 radio and the first time around — it’s The first four tracks get the mental, “musik” is an eclectic MTV. hard to. Once you do, it’s listener right into the new artis- collection of artistic songs. With the recent passing of “Chrome Children” is “Shinola Vol. 1” sticks to smooth-sailing on jams, soul- tic sound in which Aliccia Berg, Slumber Party takes on a new beloved underground hip-hop certainly no exception to Ween’s novel style, which ful harmonies, funky rhythms songwriter/singer, may have style, but they’re not breaking genius J Dilla, aka Jay Dee, the the Stones Throw standard. they’ve lacked since 2000’s and even a little twang. drawn influence from other musical barriers. Berg and the legendary producer/MC’s fans Throughout this impressively “White Pepper.” Granted their humor maybe be local Detroit acts like Adult and girls are having fun. have been patiently anticipat- diverse compilation, the Stones Their latest is a flashback a little off kilter for some, but Genders. Tonight, Slumber Party ing the arrival of the Stones Throw crew showcases their to the ‘90s, like an homage it’s good. Casio-like drum machines opens for Bettie Serveert at Throw/Cartoon Network brilliant production skills to the days of “,” Some words of advice: and wavering analog synths the Shelter located at 431 E. compilation , “Chrome paired with lyrics and cadences “,” “The Rift” has sirens, your are heavily placed. Meanwhile, Congress St., Detroit. The show Children.” The album marks that will fill the void in any “,” “,” block is not on fire. “Monique Berg’s vocals are soothing with starts at 7 p.m., tickets are $12, Stones Throw’s 10-year anni- hip-hop head searching for the “GodWeenSatan: The the Freak” is a funky jam. a dreamy, innocent tone. all ages. versary and features tracks perfect beat. Oneness” and “12 Golden “10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4,” “Thin from all of Stones Throw’s art- Country Greats.” Other than Soundtrack for: “Study ses- Is Wide,” “So Sick” and “Boys/ Soundtrack for: Slumber par- ists including the late J Dilla, Soundtrack for: Reminiscing, “White Pepper,” recent releas- sions” with a co-ed Girls,” are the first four tracks ties and pillow fights his collaboration with Madlib, relaxing and life es have been mainly B-sides Pod Picks: “Tastes Good on the record. All start with the Pod Picks: “Becuz,” Jaylib, Madvillain, J. Rocc, Pod Picks: “None in Mind,” and live disks. on th’ Bun,” “Gabrielle,” newly acquired drum-machine “Madeupmind,” Late Nite” and Guilty Simpson, Percee P and “Monkey Suite” and “No $ No Brothers from another “Monique the Freak” and “The sound Berg seems to have taken “10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4” others. Toke” mother, Dean and Rift” a liking to. Stones Throw, an indepen- (aka Mickey Melchiondo and There is still a moderate Deleano Acevedo dent hip-hop label fronted by Robyn Vincent Aaron Freeman) are geniuses. Jean Johnson