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Jamie

Author

Jamie

Contributing Writer

Jamie is a Contributing Writer at Strait Journal. Covers Detroit's galleries, museums, public art, and design-forward institutions.

Writes from inside the room. More likely to describe what a space looks and feels like than to summarize an artist statement. Notices the chairs.

Walks the same Cass Corridor route every morning. Knows the names of half the dogs along it. Drinks black coffee, no exceptions, refuses to acknowledge the existence of cold brew. Owns one cat, name confidential.

Also files on food and music when the story asks for it. Contributing since 2024.

Quick hits
Favorite room:
Library Street Collective on opening night
Favorite restaurant:
Selden Standard
One Detroit artist to put on first:
Tiff Massey

[email protected]

Recent work

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The Rocket Classic's final summer in Detroit brings its best field yet
CityPreview
The Rocket Classic's final summer in Detroit brings its best field yet2026 is the final time that the Rocket Classic will be played. The finale takes place from July 30 to Aug. 2 at Detroit Golf Club, with top-10 players, lower ticket prices, and nearly a decade of community investment.By Jamie · Jun 9, 2026 Heat index near 100 expected midweek as Detroit opens cooling centers across the city
CityNews
Heat index near 100 expected midweek as Detroit opens cooling centers across the cityAn extreme heat watch is in effect for southeast Michigan with heat index values near 100 degrees expected midweek; Detroit has opened cooling centers at recreation facilities across the city.By Jamie · Jun 8, 2026 Detroit City FC is bringing free World Cup watch parties to Campus Martius and Mexicantown this June
CommunityPreview
Detroit City FC is bringing free World Cup watch parties to Campus Martius and Mexicantown this JuneDetroit City FC is hosting six free FIFA World Cup watch parties in June, with USA matches at Campus Martius and the Detroit City Fieldhouse and Mexico matches outside Los Galanes in Mexicantown.By Jamie · Jun 8, 2026 Cleanup Club returns to Belle Isle Beach on June 20 to remove plastic before peak summer
CommunityPreview
Cleanup Club returns to Belle Isle Beach on June 20 to remove plastic before peak summerThe Cleanup Club and Belle Isle Conservancy are hosting a shoreline cleanup volunteer day at Belle Isle Beach on Saturday, June 20, from 10 a.m. to noon, open to all.By Jamie · Jun 4, 2026 Detroit teens spend the summer building an engine from scratch
CommunityPreview
Detroit teens spend the summer building an engine from scratchThe Engine Building Bootcamp returns to Detroit's northwest side for its fourth year, putting middle and high schoolers on the wrench from June through August.By Jamie · May 31, 2026 A Detroit veteran came home and built something empowering for the kids
CommunityProfile
A Detroit veteran came home and built something empowering for the kidsDamon Williams spent 21 years in the Air Force, returned to East English Village, and launched Outside the Box, a youth hub connecting Detroit teenagers with city resources and community partners.By Jamie · May 31, 2026 Mid-century Detroit, one lunch break at a time: Norman Zadoorian's photos now at Detroit Historical Museum
ArtsNews
Mid-century Detroit, one lunch break at a time: Norman Zadoorian's photos now at Detroit Historical MuseumForty photographs from Norman Zadoorian's mid-century Detroit street photography archive are on view at the Detroit Historical Museum through May 2027, on loan from the State of Michigan Library.By Jamie · May 29, 2026 From tire piles to beautification contracts: Audra Carson's long road to Izzie Global
CommunityProfile
From tire piles to beautification contracts: Audra Carson's long road to Izzie GlobalAudra Carson spent 30 years as a corporate business analyst before founding De-Tread in 2009 to address Detroit's tire dumping problem. She now runs Izzie Global, a waste management and beautification company named after her mother.By Jamie · May 29, 2026 CCS's 101st student exhibition is open through May 29
ArtsNews
CCS's 101st student exhibition is open through May 29The College for Creative Studies has turned its campus into a gallery of 4,800-plus pieces for the 101st time. The show is free, it's open through Thursday, and the work is worth seeing.By Jamie · May 28, 2026 The house on East Ferry Street is the subject of a Smithsonian director's DIA lecture next month
ArtsPreview
The house on East Ferry Street is the subject of a Smithsonian director's DIA lecture next monthChase Robinson, director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art, lectures at the Detroit Institute of Arts on June 7 on Charles Lang Freer and the railroad magnate's overlooked influence on American cultural institutions. The story runs through a house on East Ferry Street that most Detroiters have never heard of.By Jamie · May 26, 2026 The Fred and Barbara Erb Discovery Trails open at the Detroit Zoo
CommunityNews
The Fred and Barbara Erb Discovery Trails open at the Detroit ZooThe Detroit Zoo's largest project in its history opens seven acres of interactive trails, stingray encounters, and family-oriented play space along its southwest footprint.By Jamie · May 24, 2026 Mike Duggan exits the governor's race
CityNews
Mike Duggan exits the governor's raceThe former Detroit mayor ended his independent run for Michigan governor Thursday, citing a hardened national mood and a fundraising gap he couldn't close.By Jamie · May 21, 2026 Detroit's first Juneteenth music festival features Kash Doll, Babytron and Fetty Wap
MusicPreview
Detroit's first Juneteenth music festival features Kash Doll, Babytron and Fetty WapDetroit will host its first Juneteenth music festival this summer, with Kash Doll, Babytron, and Fetty Wap headlining the inaugural event.By Jamie · May 21, 2026 'Big Jim' O'Brien departs WCSX, stays in Detroit
MusicNews
'Big Jim' O'Brien departs WCSX, stays in DetroitJim O'Brien, known as Big Jim on Detroit classic rock station 94.7 WCSX, announced his departure Thursday. He told the Free Press he is not leaving Detroit and has no intention of slowing down.By Jamie · May 15, 2026 Hamilton closes at the Fisher Theatre, Broadway in Detroit loads an all-new season
ArtsNews
Hamilton closes at the Fisher Theatre, Broadway in Detroit loads an all-new seasonHamilton wraps May 17 at the Fisher Theatre, and Broadway in Detroit has already lined up six Detroit-premiere productions for 2026-27.By Jamie · May 12, 2026 Marrow's West Village restaurant closes June 7
EatsSpotlight
Marrow's West Village restaurant closes June 7Founder Ping Ho is consolidating around the Eastern Market flagship, ending eight years on Kercheval. The Birmingham location will transition to a new concept after Memorial Day.By Jamie · May 12, 2026 A cardboard maze of Detroit landmarks opens inside the Michigan Science Center on Saturday
ArtsPreview
A cardboard maze of Detroit landmarks opens inside the Michigan Science Center on SaturdayA walkable cardboard maze of Detroit landmarks opens inside the Michigan Science Center on Saturday, May 9, presented by the Skillman Foundation, Ford Philanthropy, and Welch Packaging.By Jamie · May 7, 2026 Gleaners is running short on food with a large single-day food drive around the corner
CommunityNews
Gleaners is running short on food with a large single-day food drive around the cornerGleaners Community Food Bank is entering the National Association of Letter Carriers' Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive under strain from falling donations and tightened federal food assistance.By Jamie · May 5, 2026 CCS sent its 2026 senior fashion class down a 700-foot runway at Somerset Collection
ArtsReview
CCS sent its 2026 senior fashion class down a 700-foot runway at Somerset CollectionThe College for Creative Studies sent its 2026 senior fashion class down a 700-foot runway at Somerset Collection on April 26, with projected lighting on the lower-level corridor.By Jamie · May 5, 2026 Vernal 2026 fills Buffalo Prescott with botanical sculpture and an oversized worm couch
ArtsReview
Vernal 2026 fills Buffalo Prescott with botanical sculpture and an oversized worm couchVernal 2026 is Buffalo Prescott's spring exhibition, a contemporary group show built around a botanical theme — decorative rabbits, plant installations, and an oversized worm couch.By Jamie · May 2, 2026 Hamilton runs three weeks at the Fisher Theatre, opens Wednesday
ArtsPreview
Hamilton runs three weeks at the Fisher Theatre, opens WednesdayHamilton opens at the Fisher Theatre on April 29 and runs through May 17 — a three-week stand inside the Albert Kahn building on West Grand Boulevard.By Jamie · Apr 29, 2026 Castalia served its last drinks on New Year's Eve and closed with the afterlife menu
MusicLegacy
Castalia served its last drinks on New Year's Eve and closed with the afterlife menuCastalia served its last drinks on December 31, 2025, eight years after Kevin Peterson and Jane Larson opened it in the lower level of an 1890s Victorian on Second Avenue.By Jamie · Dec 31, 2025 Saksey's opened off Parker's Alley with Cap'n Crunch sundaes and Teeny 'tinis
MusicReview
Saksey's opened off Parker's Alley with Cap'n Crunch sundaes and Teeny 'tinisSaksey's opened on Friday, November 14, 2025, with eight tables and 55 seats in the basement of Gilly's Clubhouse at 1550 Woodward. The entrance is in Parker's Alley.By Jamie · Nov 14, 2025 Autechre played the Russell Industrial Center
MusicReview
Autechre played the Russell Industrial CenterPaxahau booked Autechre at the Russell Industrial Center on October 21, 2025.By Jamie · Oct 21, 2025 The DIA's first major Native American show in 30 years
ArtsReview
The DIA's first major Native American show in 30 yearsContemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation opened at the DIA on Sunday and runs through April 5, 2026.By Jamie · Sep 28, 2025 Murals in the Market comes home for year 10
ArtsSpotlight
Murals in the Market comes home for year 10Murals in the Market spent two years in Islandview after 1XRUN moved its headquarters there. For the 10th anniversary edition, the festival came back to Eastern Market.By Jamie · Sep 15, 2025 Ladder 4 became the first Detroit restaurant ever recognized by 50 Best
MusicNews
Ladder 4 became the first Detroit restaurant ever recognized by 50 BestOn September 9, 2025, the World's 50 Best announced Ladder 4 Wine Bar as the inaugural recipient of the Resy One To Watch Award for North America.By Jamie · Sep 9, 2025 BLKOUT Walls paints 10 new murals across Detroit under “A Beautiful Resistance”
CommunitySpotlight
BLKOUT Walls paints 10 new murals across Detroit under “A Beautiful Resistance”BLKOUT Walls Mural Festival returned for its third edition from September 4 to 14, 2025, with 10 new large-scale murals painted across Detroit.By Jamie · Sep 4, 2025 Detroit Month of Design at 15, UNESCO at 10
ArtsSpotlight
Detroit Month of Design at 15, UNESCO at 10Detroit Month of Design ran the entire month of September. The 15th edition of the festival lined up about 95 events featuring more than 1,000 designers and creatives across the city.By Jamie · Sep 1, 2025 Tamela Todd built Sip-N-Read after waiting six years on the right space
CommunityProfile
Tamela Todd built Sip-N-Read after waiting six years on the right spaceTamela Todd opened Sip-N-Read on a Wednesday afternoon in late August.By Jamie · Aug 27, 2025 City Modern completes in Brush Park, Detroit's first ground-up neighborhood since the 1980s
CityLegacy
City Modern completes in Brush Park, Detroit's first ground-up neighborhood since the 1980sCity Modern, the eight-acre, 450-residence neighborhood Bedrock built in Brush Park, was officially declared complete on July 24, 2025.By Jamie · Jul 24, 2025 Sterling Toles and the hybrid Detroit hip-hop / electronic vein
MusicProfile
Sterling Toles and the hybrid Detroit hip-hop / electronic veinSterling Toles has been making music in Detroit for more than two decades. Most of it sits where the city's hip-hop, jazz, and electronic traditions overlap, and most of it has been heard outside the city before it gets a Detroit listen.By Jamie · Jul 22, 2025 Detroit Bookfest fills three Eastern Market Sheds for the eighth time
CommunitySpotlight
Detroit Bookfest fills three Eastern Market Sheds for the eighth timeThe 8th annual Detroit Festival of Books ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 20, 2025 Eventbrite, in Sheds 4, 5, and 6 at Eastern Market BridgeDetroit.By Jamie · Jul 20, 2025 Richie Hawtin made a short film about Detroit in 1995
ArtsReview
Richie Hawtin made a short film about Detroit in 1995NOWNESS released Kids Like Us on July 5, 2025. The 35mm short runs nine minutes and was executive produced by Richie Hawtin.By Jamie · Jul 5, 2025 Purrfiction is a bookstore and a cat adoption center, intentionally
CommunitySpotlight
Purrfiction is a bookstore and a cat adoption center, intentionallyEmma Spadafore left corporate after six years to open the kind of store that probably sounds like a joke at a bachelorette dinner. Bookstore. With cats.By Jamie · Jul 1, 2025 Juan Atkins brought Cybotron to Glastonbury
MusicReview
Juan Atkins brought Cybotron to GlastonburyCybotron played Glastonbury on June 27, 2025, inside the Block9 IICON structure.By Jamie · Jun 27, 2025 From J Dilla to HiTech: Detroit hip-hop and electronic still share the same room
MusicSpotlight
From J Dilla to HiTech: Detroit hip-hop and electronic still share the same roomJames Yancey died in February 2006. Nineteen years later the Detroit hip-hop catalog he helped build is still in conversation with the city's electronic scene, and the conversation is structural, not coincidental.By Jamie · Jun 25, 2025 Planet E put out the Carl Craig documentary soundtrack
MusicNews
Planet E put out the Carl Craig documentary soundtrackPlanet E released the soundtrack to Desire: The Carl Craig Story in summer 2025. The compilation tracks the documentary's chronology.By Jamie · Jun 15, 2025 Movement 2025 took its 25th anniversary as a question, not a victory lap
MusicSpotlight
Movement 2025 took its 25th anniversary as a question, not a victory lapMovement Music Festival closed its 25th edition on Memorial Day. What the anniversary framing actually meant on the ground was less a celebration than a question put to the room.By Jamie · Jun 2, 2025 The Pyramid and Waterfront stages at Movement 2025
MusicReview
The Pyramid and Waterfront stages at Movement 2025The Pyramid and Waterfront stages at Movement 2025 sit on opposite ends of Hart Plaza. The two stages are the festival's middle tier, and the bookings reflect that.By Jamie · May 26, 2025 Movement Music festival hits 25 years on Hart Plaza
CommunitySpotlight
Movement Music festival hits 25 years on Hart PlazaMovement Music Festival ran May 24 through 26, 2025, at Hart Plaza, marking the 25th anniversary of Detroit's flagship electronic music festival. Memorial Day weekend.By Jamie · May 24, 2025 The Carl Craig documentary finally played in Detroit
ArtsReview
The Carl Craig documentary finally played in DetroitDesire: The Carl Craig Story had its Detroit premiere at Newlab at Michigan Central Station on May 22, 2025. The room was full.By Jamie · May 22, 2025 At 88, Janet Webster Jones is bookselling royalty
CommunityProfile
At 88, Janet Webster Jones is bookselling royaltyDonya Craddock, who runs Dock Bookshop in Fort Worth, called Janet Webster Jones the queen from a stage at Winter Institute 2025. The room agreed.By Jamie · Apr 18, 2025 JJ and Anthony Curis, in TIME
ArtsProfile
JJ and Anthony Curis, in TIMETIME named Little Village one of the World's Greatest Places of 2025.By Jamie · Mar 13, 2025 AC Hotel Detroit at the Bonstelle opens
CitySpotlight
AC Hotel Detroit at the Bonstelle opensThe AC Hotel Detroit at the Bonstelle started taking guests in early January 2025, the first AC Hotel in southeast Michigan.By Jamie · Jan 15, 2025 Rebel Nell moves to Eastern Market and the materials follow
CommunityProfile
Rebel Nell moves to Eastern Market and the materials followAmy Peterson found her first piece of jewelry-making material under the Gratiot bridge in 2013.By Jamie · Nov 15, 2024 Book Suey runs as a co-op, in a building that used to be a bank
CommunityProfile
Book Suey runs as a co-op, in a building that used to be a bankThe corner of Joseph Campau and Caniff has had several lives. The 1920s building started as a bank, with stately limestone and ornamental tile that the present tenants kept intact.By Jamie · Nov 15, 2024 The Belt turns 10
ArtsLegacy
The Belt turns 10The Belt opened ten years ago this month. Library Street Collective and Bedrock unveiled the alley on November 13, 2014, with food trucks and live music and a mural in progress.By Jamie · Nov 13, 2024 Rosette Market puts a bodega in the Perennial Corktown lobby
CommunityProfile
Rosette Market puts a bodega in the Perennial Corktown lobbyThe Perennial Corktown apartment building at 1611 Michigan Avenue opened in late 2023 with two retail tenants on the ground floor.By Jamie · Oct 11, 2024 Michigan Central's new residency pays Detroit artists $30,000 to make things
ArtsProfile
Michigan Central's new residency pays Detroit artists $30,000 to make thingsThe Michigan Central x Newlab Creative Residency launches its inaugural cohort this fall. Six artists. $30,000 each.By Jamie · Sep 1, 2024 The Vinyl Society opens nine years after Paradise Valley got its name back
EatsLegacy
The Vinyl Society opens nine years after Paradise Valley got its name backParadise Valley got its name back in 2015.By Jamie · May 28, 2024 The Skrillex booking, and what it said about Movement 2024
MusicSpotlight
The Skrillex booking, and what it said about Movement 2024Sonny Moore closed the Movement Stage Sunday night under the name he stopped being able to outrun. The booking had been a subject of argument since February.By Jamie · May 28, 2024 Erika linenfelser turned her North End yard into Foxglove and a custom four-point sound system
MusicProfile
Erika linenfelser turned her North End yard into Foxglove and a custom four-point sound systemErika Linenfelser's house is at 257 Leicester Court, in the North End.By Jamie · May 25, 2024 OMA drilled 1,353 holes in a bakery to build LANTERN
ArtsSpotlight
OMA drilled 1,353 holes in a bakery to build LANTERNThe first thing you notice on the south facade of LANTERN is the holes. There are 1,353 of them, drilled through the concrete masonry of the south wall and filled with cylindrical glass blocks.By Jamie · May 17, 2024 Tiff Massey takes four galleries at the DIA
ArtsReview
Tiff Massey takes four galleries at the DIATiff Massey opened her solo show at the DIA tonight. Four galleries in the contemporary wing. The most ambitious installation by a Detroit artist the museum has ever staged.By Jamie · May 4, 2024 Hudson's tower tops out at 681 feet
CityNews
Hudson's tower tops out at 681 feetThe final steel beam was set on Hudson's Tower on April 10, 2024, fixing the building at 681 feet and forty-nine stories.By Jamie · Apr 10, 2024 Sexy steak reopens the GAR building's castle
EatsNews
Sexy steak reopens the GAR building's castleThe Grand Army of the Republic Building has been waiting on a tenant since the pandemic.By Jamie · Feb 26, 2024 The Aladdin Sane opens beneath Book Tower with 32 seats and a bowie-coded cocktail menu
MusicSpotlight
The Aladdin Sane opens beneath Book Tower with 32 seats and a bowie-coded cocktail menuMost new bars in Detroit pick a moment to announce themselves. The Aladdin Sane skipped the moment.By Jamie · Jan 15, 2024 Bonobo at Movement 2023: a quieter Detroit night
MusicReview
Bonobo at Movement 2023: a quieter Detroit nightSimon Green closed the Movement Stage Sunday night under the name he has been using for twenty-five years. The set was the quietest Memorial Day Sunday closer Movement has booked in recent memory.By Jamie · May 29, 2023