6 Days and Counting Down: Weirdsville Records

Today's Positive Eye On Small & Local: 
Weirdsville Records in Mount Clemens. 

Weirdsville Records is neatly nestled inside the Used on New Books & More shop (which, not-so-coincidentally, will be the subject of Countdown, Day 5). Since its inception, Weirdsville has grown and evolved into a fascinating blend of the cool and the odd, offering far more than just offbeat records and strange items (although those things abound there... check out the famous commercial to see what I mean: http://bit.ly/1dpvqES). 
This is not just My Opinion, either... Weirdsville was voted Best Indie Record Store of 2013 by the Metro Times and, not only that, was the subject of a segment by Under The Radar Michigan!
There's a lot of new vinyl to be had here, too (yes... vinyl records are still being produced.)! Also, there's a wide variety of local art hanging on their walls. 
As if that isn't enough, they also offer many fun and interesting after-hours events like the seasonal zombie make-up workshop, listening parties which showcase the new releases from local bands, and (of course) Weirdsville Movie Night, which starts promptly at 8:08pm most Thursday nights (and, just so ya know, the $2.00 donation goes to an animal adoption service). 
Special bulletin: tonight is no exception! Drop on by 36 New Street to see Boris Karloff and Jack Nicholson in "The Terror"...and heckling the film is encouraged! 

Weirdsville Listening Party, Tuesday Oct 29 at 7pm: 'At Home with Denny'!

At 7:00pm, on Tuesday, October 29th: it's the long awaited "At Home with Denny" Weirdsville Records Listening Party! You may remember seeing this fabulous and rare record on Davey's YouTube commercial for the record shop (which is found inside Used-on-New Books & More at 36 New Street in Downtown Mount Clemens) and also on the episode of Under The Radar Michigan which featured Weirdsville Records, earlier this year... and if you don't, that's no problem! You can check out the hilarious YouTube spot here and Episode #314 of UTR Michigan here (Mount Clemens comes in at the 14:00min mark)! 
Also, even better than just listening to this finely-produced record... Dennis Gapczynski, local musician who recorded this gem on vinyl (many years ago when he lived in Macomb County) will be coming down from his Alpena home to jam with Davey at this party! 
Davey Taylor tells us why it's cool...

Zombie Make-Up Class Tonight!

That's right! Tonight at 7:00pm in a FREE class hosted by Used-on-New Books & More and Weirdsville Records, world-famous Zoe Brown will share techniques how to make-up as a zombie! They are located at 36 New Street in Downtown Mount Clemens, right next door to Seeburger's Cheeseburgers!

It's Movie Night at Weirdsville!

This week's horror to heckle is "The Hearse"! Show starts at 8:00pm... donation is just two bucks (throw in soda pop and a small popcorn, and you're still under five bucks), which buys you a chance for a door prize! Weirdsville Records is located at 36 New Street, in the Used on New Books & More shop, Downtown Mount Clemens. Don't wait to get a seat... people are dying to get into this one!

Brief Highlights

   This doesn't have anything to do with strolling around the shopping district, but I really would love to share how proud I felt when I watched my sister, Lucy, walk across the stage and collect her Associate's Degree in Applied Sciences from Macomb County Community College, last Friday.
   That's the kind of local phenomenon I love to spread around. Congrats, kid!

   Another highlight came on Mother's Day, when I could finally give my mom that uniquely beautiful glass flower that I was able to create with the help of  Philip Yamron and Robin Ochs at PYRO Art Glass, the weekend before. It turned out beautifully... and the smile on her face was really worth it. Being part of the creation process was so much more fulfilling than just going out and buying a knick-knack, since it is a one-of-a-kind gift with a personal touch.

   Tonight is Weirdsville Movie Night. The feature tonight will be Bubba Ho-Tep which, according to Davey Taylor's description should be just my kind of funny. If you've not experienced the Thursday night Weirdsville after-hours fun, you should get it in gear and come on down to 36 New Street in Downrown Mount Clemens at 8:00pm, tonight!

The Friday Night That Planned itself

   I'd already known for a couple weeks that tonight at 8:00pm would be the only chance I would get to see On Golden Pond at The Box Theater. It does have one more show, tomorrow night (Saturday, April 27th at 8:00pm)... but I've duties elsewhere in that time slot, so its to be tonight or not at all.
   Then I got to thinking about what I might want to do for dinner before the show.
   Just yesterday, I got my answer when I found out that at 5:00pm there was to be a special sneak-preview screening party for tomorrow's episode of Under The Radar Michigan at The Mitt Restaurant, in Mount Clemens. This particular show includes some interesting places in Traverse City, but (more importantly to me... and maybe to you, too) also some very cool local spots right here in Downtown Mount Clemens... including Weirdsville Records, among others! The show itself is screening at 6:00pm, so I should have plenty of time to get down to the theater.
   So, I get to finally set foot in this local eatery that I have been wanting to try out for some time, whilst getting a chance to see some television time devoted to this downtown area that I find so likable, and I get to top it all off by enjoying some pricelessly charming small theater.
   I just found out, mere minutes ago, that if I get down to Champagne Chocolates before they close at 5:00pm, I can grab a few of their new "Nutty Butter Bites - Peanut Butter with an extra crunch".
   See? That's how it seems to happen. Dinner planned itself, and now dessert has done so, as well!
   Have I mentioned that I love this town?

I on Downtown Mt Clemens - Late March 2013

   It has been a very busy week for me, and I plan to have a bit of fun to unwind.
   I begin tomorrow evening. Every Thursday night is Weirdsville Movie Night at Weirdsville Records on New Street. The feature for March 28th is Plan 9 from Outer Space, which should be loads of fun because of its cult-favorite, B-movie status. If you have never experienced Weirdsville Movie Night, you should really check it out. Do not expect to see super-serious, trendy, avant-garde film fanatics soberly analyzing little-known flicks, here... it is more like being in the silhouette audience of Mystery Science Theater 3000. Don't take my word for it, just head on down there, tomorrow night... I'll keep an eye out for ya!
   While I'm on the subject of Weirdsville Records, I ought to mention that they have won the award for Best Indie Record Store in Macomb County according to the MetroTimes Best of Detroit 2013! They are celebrating this on Friday, March 29th. The store is open from 11:00am - 8:00pm, that day.
   Coincidentally, March 29th is Mom and Pop Business Owners Day. How about that?

   Friday night, I will be taking in the second-to-last performance of The Fantasticks at the Box Theater, which is at the corner of Macomb Place and Pine Street (formerly the site of the Ché Cosa coffee shop). I saw this, last Friday night and I feel compelled to see it again... and I'm bringing friends.
   Rarely have I ever had such a great time watching local theater. The cast acts like they were born performing this play together. It is an engaging story, at once charming, delightful, and funny.

   A couple of other tidbits:

   I stopped by Champagne Chocolates on Cherry Street to gather some Easter candy. If you have never partaken of their fresh and wonderful wares, you should really treat yourself and your loved ones. Just the ears off of one of their chocolate bunnies is far more satisfying than whole rabbits that have been sitting in warehouses for who-knows-how-long waiting for the drugstore Easter sale. Trust me on this... they are a worthy purchase!

   Last (but not the least bit least!), for another delightful experience, stop on by Max & Ollie's Vintage Boutique at 65 Macomb Place. Owner Diane Kubik is a most charming shopkeeper... and she is letting go a whole lot of Easter treasures at a discount. Tell her that Lee sentcha!