Post by ClassicSoul on Mar 6, 2006 9:31:07 GMT -5
What's going on? Meals and Motown
Twelve signature recording artists join to take ownership of New Center hotel, music cafe
Louis Aguilar / The Detroit News
Stop, in the name of lunch!
The live sound of Motown is returning to Detroit next month with the opening of a restaurant where patrons can expect to hear legendary Motown artists croon a classic hit from time to time.
La Musique is set to open Easter weekend at the Hotel St. Regis in the city's New Center area, less than a mile from Hitsville USA, the birthplace of Detroit's signature music.
Twelve Motown recording artists, including members of the Four Tops, the Supremes, the Miracles and Joe Billingslea's Contours, are part of an investment group that took ownership of the hotel and cafe in February.
Other investors include several Detroit ministers and local real estate mogul Herbert Strather, who masterminded the deal.
"I'm really happy for the opportunity to help make Detroit a great city again," said Abdul "Duke" Fakir, a member of the Four Tops, who 40 years ago recorded the top-selling pop single "Reach Out, I'll Be There" in Hitsville USA's tiny studio.
The Detroit native and lifelong resident is happy to invest in the city at a time when the New Center area and downtown appear to be on an upswing.
"I never lost faith (in Detroit)," Fakir said, "but I know it's been through tough times, and I'm glad to see so many others are starting to believe."
In its heyday, Motown music played a big role in creating an international image of Detroit as a progressive, creative city. More recently, the idea that a thriving music scene can be an economic engine has been promoted by politicians such as Gov. Jennifer Granholm with her "Cool Cities" initiative.
So it seems fitting that Motown artists will play some role in the latest attempt to revive central Detroit.
"Music makes a city great, we've known that a long time," said Bobby Rogers of the Miracles, whose hits included "I'm the One You Need." "It's good to give back to our home."
La Musique arrives as the New Center area shows signs of revival, with music playing a role. The district is home to the annual Comerica Tastefest, a five-day event that last summer drew 500,000 people who came to listen to a wide range of music.
La Musique will have Motown-themed decor and a gift shop and serve French cuisine. The restaurant will not have a formal stage or a set schedule of when performers will appear.
"It will be more impromptu," real estate developer Strather said. "Whenever the artists are in town, they can just come on in and play or just chat with the guests. Someone will be in town most of the time."
The restaurant takes over a location where other businesses have failed to thrive. The venerable hotel at the corner of West Grand Boulevard and Cass Avenue has changed ownership several times since General Motors Corp. moved its headquarters out of the area a decade ago.
The St. Regis was sold in 2001 for $6.5 million to a Coral Gables, Fla.-based group, but, Strather didn't disclose how much his group paid for the property.
Strather said St. Regis Detroit Partners LLC includes 15 Detroit area ministers and the recording artists. The recording artists are also partners in Strather's "Motown Legends Casino," an Internet gambling site he soon hopes to launch in 64 countries.
Other signs of New Center's resurgence are evident in plans by the nonprofit New Center Council Inc. to revamp a small park on West Grand for open air music shows from May through September. And a restored club called Northern Lights Lounge that opened last year features local acts.
The Fisher Building, an art deco gem, is home not only to the Fisher Theatre, known for its musical theater offerings, but also to the Club House Tavern, which plays reggae, soca and dance hall music on Saturday nights.
Earlier this year, the restaurant group behind Seldom Blues and Detroit Breakfast House & Grill opened Grand Street Grill in New Center. And since 2000, more than 260 lofts and condominiums have been built, while 300 or more may be on the way.
LINK
Twelve signature recording artists join to take ownership of New Center hotel, music cafe
Louis Aguilar / The Detroit News
Stop, in the name of lunch!
The live sound of Motown is returning to Detroit next month with the opening of a restaurant where patrons can expect to hear legendary Motown artists croon a classic hit from time to time.
La Musique is set to open Easter weekend at the Hotel St. Regis in the city's New Center area, less than a mile from Hitsville USA, the birthplace of Detroit's signature music.
Twelve Motown recording artists, including members of the Four Tops, the Supremes, the Miracles and Joe Billingslea's Contours, are part of an investment group that took ownership of the hotel and cafe in February.
Other investors include several Detroit ministers and local real estate mogul Herbert Strather, who masterminded the deal.
"I'm really happy for the opportunity to help make Detroit a great city again," said Abdul "Duke" Fakir, a member of the Four Tops, who 40 years ago recorded the top-selling pop single "Reach Out, I'll Be There" in Hitsville USA's tiny studio.
The Detroit native and lifelong resident is happy to invest in the city at a time when the New Center area and downtown appear to be on an upswing.
"I never lost faith (in Detroit)," Fakir said, "but I know it's been through tough times, and I'm glad to see so many others are starting to believe."
In its heyday, Motown music played a big role in creating an international image of Detroit as a progressive, creative city. More recently, the idea that a thriving music scene can be an economic engine has been promoted by politicians such as Gov. Jennifer Granholm with her "Cool Cities" initiative.
So it seems fitting that Motown artists will play some role in the latest attempt to revive central Detroit.
"Music makes a city great, we've known that a long time," said Bobby Rogers of the Miracles, whose hits included "I'm the One You Need." "It's good to give back to our home."
La Musique arrives as the New Center area shows signs of revival, with music playing a role. The district is home to the annual Comerica Tastefest, a five-day event that last summer drew 500,000 people who came to listen to a wide range of music.
La Musique will have Motown-themed decor and a gift shop and serve French cuisine. The restaurant will not have a formal stage or a set schedule of when performers will appear.
"It will be more impromptu," real estate developer Strather said. "Whenever the artists are in town, they can just come on in and play or just chat with the guests. Someone will be in town most of the time."
The restaurant takes over a location where other businesses have failed to thrive. The venerable hotel at the corner of West Grand Boulevard and Cass Avenue has changed ownership several times since General Motors Corp. moved its headquarters out of the area a decade ago.
The St. Regis was sold in 2001 for $6.5 million to a Coral Gables, Fla.-based group, but, Strather didn't disclose how much his group paid for the property.
Strather said St. Regis Detroit Partners LLC includes 15 Detroit area ministers and the recording artists. The recording artists are also partners in Strather's "Motown Legends Casino," an Internet gambling site he soon hopes to launch in 64 countries.
Other signs of New Center's resurgence are evident in plans by the nonprofit New Center Council Inc. to revamp a small park on West Grand for open air music shows from May through September. And a restored club called Northern Lights Lounge that opened last year features local acts.
The Fisher Building, an art deco gem, is home not only to the Fisher Theatre, known for its musical theater offerings, but also to the Club House Tavern, which plays reggae, soca and dance hall music on Saturday nights.
Earlier this year, the restaurant group behind Seldom Blues and Detroit Breakfast House & Grill opened Grand Street Grill in New Center. And since 2000, more than 260 lofts and condominiums have been built, while 300 or more may be on the way.
LINK