Downtown Hoedown and DEMF

Anyway, some pretty good country acts coming, if ya can dig it. You can view the schedule here. Also featured is Bret Michaels trying to be country (Sunday Night). And, as always, it's free.

And don't forget, coming up for Memorial day weekend is FUSE-IN (the newest incarnation of the Detroit Electronic Music Festival.) The lineup looks really good. There will be a charge this year, unfortunately, due largely to the city backing out of the money it had pledged last year, which caused the festival in 2004 to lose a lot of money (that year it had been run by Derrick May). Kevin Saunderson has taken over the reigns this year, and wants to be sure to pay back all the debts incurred to avoid letting the festival get a bad name. The intent I've heard so far is for the festival to continue being free after this year, but who knows if it will stay that way. In any case, its only $10 / day or $25 for the whole weekend (three days), which is really cheap for what you're getting, considering most of these artists can command $25 entrance fees for a couple hour show, as opposed to some of the biggest names in the scene on 4 stages for 36 hours.

The history of the festival thus far (4 years) has been filled with intrigue and poor management, but for something built ground-up in a nearly bankrupt city by artists rather than promoters I think its done remarkably well. And the music has always been great.

I'll provide a more detailed report as it gets closer (including a guide for what to see, with help from Shawn). If you'll be in town and want to join me, let me know, I'll be there most of the weekend.

Notes:
Freep article on the Hoedown

Freep interview with Miranda Lambert (who I just seem to like more and more)