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Dark Star Orchestra Share Full Summer Tour

Photo Credit: John R. Wisdom

Dark Star Orchestra have shared the final itinerary for the band’s 2024 summer tour, spanning 26 concerts from June 28 to August 27. The renowned Grateful Dead cover ensemble’s latest dispatch adds nine new dates to the backend of its previously announced live schedule, bringing its signature brand of cosmic revivalist celebration to Northeast audiences in the deeps of the dog days.

DSO will kick off its summer tour on June 28 with a performance at The Ledge Park Amphitheater in Waite Park, Minn. Following two further Midwest engagements in Missouri and Nebraska on June 29 and 30, the ensemble will plot a 6-stop run through the mountain region from July 3 to 9, culminating in a set at Las Vegas’ Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas on July 10. After two shows in the Golden State on July 11 and 13, the group will hop to the East Coast to headline Great South Bay Festival in Patchogue, N.Y. on July 20, then wrap its previously announced suite of dates with its highly-anticipated engagement at Asbury Park, N.J.’s Stone Pony Summer Stage on July 21.

This release also tips fans to the fact that the Asbury Park show will comprise a faithful recreation of the Grateful Dead’s performance at Englishtown, N.J. on Sept. 3, 1977. “Englishtown is the biggest Grateful Dead show ever held in New Jersey with an estimated 150,000 in attendance,” notes Dark Star bassist Skip Vangelas. “Its proximity, only 25 miles from Asbury Park, and the fact that it was an epic outdoor show, made sense for us to choose. It’s a classic show in the GD world and one that New Jerseyans, whether Deadhead or not have never forgotten!”

The band’s new dates begin on August 9 and 10 with a two-night series at Wonderland Forrest in LaFayette, N.Y. Next, the band will have its bite at the Big Apple with an Aug. 11 show at The Rooftop at Pier 17, then run up the coast for three New England dates from Aug. 14-16. After an Aug. 17 staging in Delaware, DSO will return to New York for two upstate sets on August 21 and 22. After previously announced appearances at Portland, Maine’s Thompson’s Point and Jay, Vt.’s Stetside Amphitheater on Aug. 23 and 24, the band will close out its summer tour with a final pair at Tree House Brewing Co. in South Deerfield, Mass. on August 26 and 27.

An artist presale for Dark Star Orchestra’s newly announced late-summer dates will open tomorrow, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET; fans can score tickets early with access code TERRAPIN. General on-sale will follow this Friday, May 10, at 10 a.m. ET. For tickets and more information, visit https://www.darkstarorchestra.net/tour/ .

Read on for a list of Dark Star Orchestra’s new summer tour dates.

Dark Star Orchestra New Summer 2024 Tour Dates: Aug 9 – Wonderland Forest – LaFayette, N.Y. Aug 10 – Wonderland Forest – LaFayette, N.Y. Aug 11 – The Rooftop at Pier 17 – New York Aug 16 – Powder Ridge – Middlefield, Conn. Aug 17 – Freeman Arts Pavilion – Selbyville, Del. Aug 21 – Innovative Field – Rochester, N.Y. Aug 22 – Frog Alley Summer Stage – Schenectady, N.Y. Aug 26 – Tree House Brewing Company – Deerfield, Mass. Aug 27 – Tree House Brewing Company – Deerfield, Mass.

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Dark Star Orchestra's Full Summer Tour Announced

Article contributed by dark star orchestra | published on wednesday, may 8, 2024.

Dark Star Orchestra 's Summer Tour plans are now complete with the roll out of nearly a dozen new shows. This Summer's nation-spanning tour reaches both coasts - from California to New York - and many places in between, with the band performing at some of its favorite venues as well as a handful of new stages.

For the band's Sunday, July 21 show at the Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park, DSO announces today they will be recreating the Dead's epic 9/3/77 show from Englishtown, NJ. DSO bassist Skip Vangelas notes that "Englishtown is the biggest Grateful Dead show ever held in New Jersey with an estimated 150,000 in attendance. Its proximity, only 25 miles from Asbury Park, and the fact that it was an epic outdoor show, made sense for us to choose. It’s a classic show in the GD world and one that New Jerseyans, whether Deadhead or not have never forgotten!"

With Dark Star Orchestra's 26 date coast to coast Summer tour announced, fans have a plethora of options to experience the premiere group recreating the Grateful Dead concert experience. With special dates dotted throughout the tour, highlighting a debut at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA on July 13 as a celebration of 40 years of the Rex Foundation; the benefit performance will see DSO offer a 40-years-to-the-day recreation of the Dead's 7/13/84 performance from The Greek Theatre.

Ticket on sale timing for these newly announced Summer Tour dates: Artist Pre Sale: Thu 5/9 @ 10am ET - 10pm ET (PW: TERRAPIN) On Sale: Fri 5/10 @ 10am ET

• Fri, Aug 9 - Wonderland Forest - LaFayette, NY • Sat, Aug 10 - Wonderland Forest - LaFayette, NY • Sun, Aug 11 - The Rooftop at Pier 17 - New York, NY • Fri, Aug 16 - Powder Ridge - Middlefield, CT • Sat, Aug 17 - Freeman Arts Pavilion - Selbyville, DE • Wed, Aug 21 - Innovative Field - Rochester, NY • Thu, Aug 22 - Frog Alley Summer Stage - Schenectady, NY • Mon, Aug 26 - Tree House Brewing Company - Deerfield, MA • Tue, Aug 27 - Tree House Brewing Company - Deerfield, MA

Full information and all ticket links can be found at https://www.darkstarorchestra.net/tour/

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Live stream: Michigan Central reopening concert features star-studded lineup

Show marks reopening of historic detroit train station.

DETROIT – Some of the biggest names in Detroit music are performing Thursday at a concert in front of the Michigan Central Station to celebrate the historic building’s reopening.

The concert is scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 6, with a pre-show at 8 p.m. You can watch live starting at 8 p.m. in the video player up above. The show is airing exclusively on Local 4 and Local 4+.

Here’s who’s scheduled to perform:

The Clark Sisters
Kierra Sheard
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Theo Parrish
Slum Village
Melissa Etheridge

The show itself is being executive produced by Eminem and his manager Paul Rosenburg, officials said. It wasn’t clear if Eminem would make an appearance during the show.

---> Heading to Corktown? Click here for a complete guide to the Michigan Central concert

Apart from musical performances, the show will also include short films, appearances by local leaders, and creators telling stories of innovation and culture from around the city and the region.

The event will also include some big-name presenters, like Detroit Lions stars Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Barry Sanders, in addition to actors Mike Epps and Sophia Bush.

Thursday’s concert kicks of reopening celebrations for the historic Detroit train station, which has been closed since 1988. Ford Motor Company purchased the station in 2018, and has been undergoing renovations since.

Michigan Central is now meant to serve as a “one-of-a-kind tech and culture hub” on Ford’s new automotive campus in Corktown. The station will feature retail and restaurant spaces, offices, lodging, and more.

The building is set to open on June 6, with the concert set to kick off days’ worth of celebrations . After the concert, Michigan Central Station’s OPEN House will run from June 7-16, offering a first look inside the station’s ground floor through exhibits, entertainment, art, and more, officials said.

Tours of the station’s first floor will be held throughout the summer, with more tours expected to be available this fall. The first round of tours, running from June 7-June 16, have all been booked. Registration is required to attend.

After the June reopening events, the train station is expected to begin a “phased reactivation” of the building throughout the rest of the year as other businesses, like restaurants and retail, enter the space.

---> See before and after photos of restoration at Detroit’s Michigan Central Station

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Michigan Central concert live blog: Eminem closes show with DSO, 'Not Afraid'

Detroit — Hometown rapper Eminem closed the Michigan Central Station concert Thursday night, putting the musical exclamation point on a celebration of the rebirth of the previously shuttered train station, an iconic landmark that spent decades as a symbol of the city's decline.

The free concert that drew up to 20,000 attendees ended with Eminem, the pride of Warren, doing a four song set backed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra that included "Welcome 2 Detroit" with Trick Trick, "Sing for the Moment" and his current release, "Houdini," which samples a Steve Miller 1982 hit song, "Abracadrabra."

Eminem, who helped to produce the entire event, closed the show with "Not Afraid." While the crowd was energized by a variety of performances throughout the night, the rapper's appearance was anticipated and electrified the audience.

Eminem left the crowd just before the end of his last song with a short message.

"Detroit we up. We love you," he said. "Our city’s up. Let's f------ go!”

Fan reactions

Fans came from all over the state — and even from other countries — to see the once-in-a-lifetime show. After the show was over and Ford Motor Co. blue was projected on the Ford-owned building, fans were just happy they got to experience it.

Michael and Evie Moorer didn’t expect to be at the station Thursday night for the concert. They were in Toronto earlier in the day before finding out they won concert tickets in a Ford employee raffle. “It was great. There was every kind of music possible," Michael Moorer said. "I wish the screen was a bit higher. We couldn’t see much of anything, but I never thought I’d see Diana Ross, Jelly Roll and Eminem in concert. It’s unbelievable."

Detroiter Trolisie Fletcher, 48, brought her friend Tiffany Powell, 50, from Ann Arbor to the concert. Fletcher remembered how her parents used to take the train to and from Michigan Central and said just being there was amazing.

"It's been an eyesore for most of my life," Fletcher said. "I'm so glad that they did not (tear it down), and they restored it."

Bettina Beck, 56, said the concert was absolutely awesome. She came to Detroit for the event with Janay McCall, 20, from Redford Township.

The pair toured the station before Ford began restoration efforts and thought it looked beautiful on Thursday. McCall said she'd even consider it as a potential wedding venue in the future.

"Detroit is back," Beck said.

A medley of genres

Eminem's performance followed Detroit area garage rocker Jack White, who at one point said he was playing songs that were made just a short distance from the Michigan Central Station.

Actor and comedian Sam Richardson and Frank Solis introduced Jack White, a native of southwest Detroit, who blazed the stage with his guitar solos.

“I hope it’s OK to perform a few songs that were written a few blocks from here,” he said.

He performed “Hear My Train a Comin,” “Hotel Yorba” and “Seven Nation Army.”

The crowd especially shouted along to "Seven Nation Army."

His performance and others were a tribute to all of Detroit’s musical genres across multiple generations, showcasing pop, gospel, rock, soul, techno, hip hop and rap.

The Detroit gospel group The Clark Sisters performed one of Thursday night's most electric performances, highlighting the musical diversity that rapper and producer Eminem is bring to the Michigan Central Station concert.

People of all races and backgrounds were dancing and singing with the Clark Sisters, who were born and raised in Detroit. The act is considered another pioneering group that has spread gospel music to the mainstream.

The gospel act followed rocker Melissa Etheridge, soul singer Fantasia and country singer Jelly Roll, who did a tribute to Michigan's rock and roll legend Bob Seger.

Etheridge covered Seger's 1977 hit, "Main Street," playing along on her guitar. Fantasia followed by singing Seger's 1987 hit "Shaketown," a song that was played over the opening credits of "Beverly Hills Cop II," the 1987 Eddie Murphy movie in which he plays a Detroit cop who helps to solve a crime in Los Angeles.

Then Jelly-Roll covered Seger's 1973 song "Turn the Page."

Fantasia, Jelly Roll and Etheridge finished the set by combining to bring the crowd into a sing along of “Old Time Rock and Roll.”

During his set, Big Sean greeted the crowd with “what up doe?” before performing a new song for the concert.

He got the crowd waving their hands.

“For most of my life it was just a big eyesore,” Big Sean said, referring to the train station. “What’s cool about the train station is it’s been through every era of Detroit.”

“It really is a diamond that came out of the rough.”

Big Sean followed Hall of Fame Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders, who address the crowd along with Lions quarterback Jared Goff.

“I think the building behind me is the greatest symbol of how far we’ve come,” Sanders said.

Sanders followed Motown legend Diana Ross, who kicked off the concert at 8:31 p.m. with her 1980 hit song, "I'm Coming Out."

Attendees started shaking and dancing as Ross sang “I’m Coming Out” before she even headed on the stage in a bright orange dress with a feathered coat.

The 80-year-old sing then got the crowd dancing, calling on them to move, clap, and sing with her during her 1980 hit, "Upside Down."

“I love you, Detroit,” she said.

She ended her set with the monster 1970 hit, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."

“I love you, so good to be home,” Ross said as she left the stage.

The concert began as ticket-holders were still entering the venue for Thursday night's free concert, celebrating Michigan Central Station's reopening and that is headed by a star-filled line-up that will include some of music's biggest names including Diana Ross, Jack White, Fantasia and Jelly-Roll.

By early evening, crowds were descending on Michigan Avenue. But when the venue opened, progress was slow for patrons to get inside.

By 7:20 p.m., people filled nearly every part of the first 50 yards in front of the concert stage. Some brought blankets and towels to sit on. An EMS crew was staked in one part of the lawn in case of emergencies.

There were odes to Detroit were everywhere — on Corktown shirts, Detroit Lions jerseys and Michigan Central T-shirts.

Alcohol is not allowed at the concert. But multiple beer bottles were stuffed in barriers as people waited to file into the concert area.

Some people celebrated and jumped when they were finally able to enter the area near Roosevelt Park where the concert is being held. Approximately 20,000 tickets were given out for the free concert.

Bill Ford Jr speaks

Bill Ford Jr, executive chairman of Ford Motor Co., called Thursday night "a dream come true."

"I want to say thank you to the 3,100 workers who worked on the station, to the community members in Corktown and Southwest, to Mayor Duggan, the city council and their teams who never wavered," he said. "Six years ago, we gathered here and imagined what was possible."

He said he wanted the future of transportation to be "where it was invented in the first place."

Detroit can change the world, he said, and it can be changed at Michigan Central Station.

"There were many doubters who didn't believe our mission was possible," he continued. "We all are proud of this, and this city is where the American dream was born. This station was the gateway for opportunity for many generations."

Different music genres performed

The main stage splits out into three circle ledges.

The Gavin Family performed Irish music as a tribute to Corktown’s history as the oldest neighborhood in Detroit on one ledge.

On another edge of the stage welcomed a mariachi band as a tribute to the stations “two front doors,” one leading toward Mexicantown and another to Corktown.

Leaders greet crowd

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took the stage around 8 p.m. and said the train station's reopening as a mobility hub is a testament to Detroit’s grit, “and the best thing about Detroit is Detroiters.” She was greeted with a mixture of cheers and boos.

Mayor Mike Duggan, who took office following the city’s historic bankruptcy in 2013, said he was a kid who remembers the station.

“My parents and grandparents generation was a gateway to a beautiful city…, but then became a source of pain. … I have the honor of introducing the person most responsible for this building,” Duggan said, introducing Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr.

'A good celebration of the city'

The immensity of the reopening was not lost on those attending Thursday's concert.

"The city has changed so much but seeing it come up and being a part of it, this is another kicking off to basically the world seeing how great the city is," attendee Natalie Munro said. "It's just a good celebration of the city, the people in it, and people coming together."

She told her friends the concert would be a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She and her friend Jaida Uphaus, with whom she was attending, were excited to see celebrities such as Jared Goff and Diana Ross.

"I don't care if I have to go to work at 7 a.m. tomorrow," Uphaus said. "I will be here to not miss this."

But beyond just the concert, people were celebrating the revival of the station as well. Judy Meszaros, of Detroit, has years of memories at Michigan Central Station.

"My mom worked here on the 18th floor for New York Central Railroad," Meszaros said. "She saw Lucille Ball get off the train once there."

She visited herself with her mom after reading in the newspaper that there was going to be a fashion show at the station after it closed.

"The diner in the back looked like a time capsule," she said. "There were still plates and equipment, like on somebody's last shift they just shut the doors."

Prime seats staked out

Scott Dunsmore of Sterling Heights got a primo standing spot center stage behind rows of VIP seating to view the concert.

“It’s pretty cool. It’s different,” he said of the outdoor concert scene. “Hopefully Eminem shows up.”

Around the side of stage, fans could get a bit closer, and clamored to snag a square of grass or space on the walkway for a good sight line. Rea Maci and Chiyellow Onuigvo, both of Detroit, were soaking in the sun there as streams of concertgoers still funneled in from Michigan Avenue.

“It’s energetic! It’s so full of love,” said Maci.

Both women said they were excited to see Diana Ross and Big Sean, but we’re really impressed by the whole line-up.

“We actually both worked on projects with Michigan Central Station like for the past year,” said Onuigvo. “To see it coming to fruition now is really interesting.”

Merchandise tables swamped

Crowds immediately swamped the merchandise tables where T-shirts sold for $25-$34, with slogans like “Detroit Drives the Future” and “Detroit Put the World On Wheels."

There are lines at all of the food trucks.

Attendees are dressed in Lions and Detroit City FC jerseys, as well as Eminem and Diana Ross tour shirts. People are talking and speculating about who the special unannounced guests will be at the concert.

A chance to 'celebrate Detroit'

Milford resident Beth Chuba was one of the early arrivals for the concert and said she toured the station when it was in total disrepair and has followed its revitalization closely. She was ready to go when the ticket sales went live the first time.

"Any opportunity to celebrate Detroit and come down and see Detroit we're going to take advantage of," said Chuba, 56 "It's so great to revive this part of Detroit too. … Everyone's going to know about it now."

She came downtown with Rich Benoit, 62, from Milford. They're staying at a downtown hotel Thursday night and took a shuttle to Corktown. They plan to tour the inside of the station next week after public tours begin Friday.

Chris LeMaster recently moved back to Michigan where he grew up and now lives in Ann Arbor. He said he wanted to take in the historic day for Detroit.

"I'm a huge music fan, so Jack White, Diana Ross, hopefully Eminem (will perform)," LeMaster, 44, said of the concert lineup. "Hopefully I'll discover an artist or two I don't know."

A scalper tries to cash in

While the concert is free, at least one individual is trying to cash in.

An unidentified scalper was offering to sell a concert ticket Thursday evening for $75.

Bucket list items in one show

Behind the station, at a pop-up bar on Bagley, Melissa Close from Woodhaven rattled off the hits she hoped to hear during Thursday's show: Eminem's "Lose Yourself," Diana Ross' "Aint No Mountain High Enough" and Jack White's "Seven Nation Army."

She was proud that she grabbed the tickets before the Michigan Central website crashed the first time. And she was most excited about celebration of the station's restoration.

"We wanted the tickets before we knew who the acts were. I’m excited to see what type of part that DSO plays a role in this," said Close, 47.

She said, "I feel like I’m checking off a bunch of bucket list items with this one event. Eminem is a no brainer. I hope he performs because I saw him at the (former) Palace (of Auburn Hills) with Dr. Dre a long time ago and his passion for Detroit with the Lions has made this all the more exciting."

Mother-daughter trip to Detroit for MCS

Lori Pierce and Alexa Groth, a mother and daughter from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, were the first people in line for the Michigan Central concert Thursday. They arrived near the entrance of the event between 9:30 and 10 a.m., Pierce said.

They drove 11 hours to get to Detroit.

Attendees are expected to be able to enter the event at 6 p.m. Pierce and Groth said they are having a “blast” and listening to music as they wait.

“People are saying hi to us, which never happens where we’re from,” said Groth, a 33-year-old resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Only three people were in line for the event as of 12:45 p.m. Pierce, a 57-year-old resident of Mount Vernon, Iowa, said she and her daughter thought the time they were arriving wasn’t early enough, but they ended up being the first ones in line. They often go to concerts together, and they like to get there early so they don’t miss any of the action, Groth said.

She said she has been “obsessed” with Detroit since she was 11 or 12. She learned about the history and became a fan of music by Detroit artists. She and her mom visited Detroit for the first time last September to go to a 50 Cent concert.

“We’re from Portland, Oregon, originally, so we’ve been in big cities and been a part of that before, but this city is so special,” Pierce said. “This city has people like we’ve never met before, who just talk to you on the street, and people are just like so kind and nice here. It truly feels like a magical wonderland to us, you know.”

“It’s my Disneyland,” Groth chipped in.

Road Closures

Because of the concert, Michigan Avenue is blocked off starting at Rosa Parks Boulevard. There are also road closures on some of the other nearby streets.

There are 20,000 tickets that were reserved in advance of the free event.

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After 3 decades of darkness, Michigan Central Station reopens with epic celebration

Icons Diana Ross and Eminem bookended what will be remembered as a legendary Detroit concert Thursday night against the backdrop of Michigan Central Station, highlighting a night of phenomenal music that ranged from Motown to rap to gospel to techno to rap.

Energy oozed through the crowd of all ages.

Eminem was not listed as a performer in advance, though he was an executive producer for the show, which was enough to draw out fans hoping he would take the stage. The crowd erupted when Bill Ford, Ford Motor Co. executive chair and the driving force behind the depot's restoration , introduced the famed rapper, who was initially backed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

After Eminem performed his new song "Houdini," Jelly Roll joined him on the stage. Then legendary Detroit rapper Trick Trick joined Eminem for "Welcome 2 Detroit." The show concluded with "Not Afraid." At the end, Eminem shouted, "Detroit, we love you."

REVIEW: Michigan Central concert among most memorable evenings of homegrown music in years

Ross, who spent her teen years in the Brewster-Douglass public housing community in Detroit and went on to become a global superstar, took the stage at Michigan Central Station on Thursday night to open a much-anticipated historic celebration watched from around the world.

Large screens at the stage and in the crowd displayed a countdown: 5-4-3-2-1, the crowd yelled.

Ross wore a spectacular orange gown, with fans erupting with applause and dancing to the legend singing her classic, “I’m Coming Out.” She shared with the audience, many appearing to be in awe of her, "I'm so grateful for all the blessings in my life."

The concert, produced by Eminem and televised on Peacock with an NBC special ahead, included a long list of talent , including Illa J, Fantasia, Sky Jetta, Theo Parrish and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Stories of Detroit through the depot and musicians

The event celebrated the reopening of Michigan Central, a 1913 Beaux Arts-style building that closed in 1988 and rapidly became a symbol of Detroit's demise and hopelessness. Ford Motor Co. bought the property in 2018 and brought in craftspeople from around the world to restore the building to its glory.

Highlights included The Clark Sisters praising Jesus as thousands of arms waved rhythmically. Common and Slum Village honored the memory of revered record producer J Dilla, who died at age 32 of a blood disorder and lupus. His mother thanked the crowd for their love and kindness. People in the crowd made peace signs with their hands as she spoke. Big Sean spoke of overcoming bankruptcy and hopelessness to reach the other side. He talked to Detroiters about going through what they're going through, "making the best with what you've got."

In a tribute to Bob Seger, Melissa Etheridge played a mean guitar while singing "Mainstreet." Jelly Roll inspired the crowd to join in singing "Turn the Page" as Etheridge accompanied the new Grammy winner on guitar. By 9:45 p.m., southwest Detroit native Jack White took the stage to launch a high-energy series of songs including "Seven Nation Army" as fans jumped up and down and sang back at him.

White ended his set with an impressive display of pyrotechnics — the stage had the appearance of being truly on fire — to the delight of the crowd.

With Michigan Central in the backdrop, it seemed almost a not so subtle nod to the city’s history and motto in a city of rebirth, reborn from flames.

'It's beautiful to be a Detroiter'

Lifelong Detroiters Darlene Calloway, 67, and her daughter Algeria Calloway, 40, came to Michigan Central Station’s grand opening to witness the legacy of Detroit.

"I am just glad to be a part of this, to see our city come back to its wholeness," said Darlene Calloway, 67, of Detroit, who attended the event with her daughter. "It means so much to our children. We’re talking about leaving a legacy for them — not of a downtrodden city."

Algeria Calloway, 40, of Detroit, said, "It's beautiful to be a Detroiter."

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said Detroiters who live in the city and even those who live in other parts of the state and the country feel something that's hard to put into words as they witness the resurrection of the once-abandoned 18-story building in Corktown that was once covered in graffiti and crumbling.

"You have to be a longtime Detroiter to understand this, the pain of what was taken away from us — the auto plants moving out, the movie theaters moving out, the restaurants moving out, our neighbors moving out. … All of that is turning around. To see this come back, for a lot of people, it’s a night of deep pride," Duggan said.

He credited Bill Ford, 67, executive chair of Ford Motor Co., and the great-grandson of founder Henry Ford as the visionary behind the resurrection of the train station at 2001 15th St. in Corktown that carried soldiers off to war and brought the lucky ones home again.

His mother, Martha Firestone Ford, who turns 99 in September, wanted to attend and Bill Ford made sure she did.

When you open an email to discover concert tickets

Ellen Deleston, of Detroit, works for Ford in manufacturing engineering. On Wednesday, she logged onto her work computer to find an email that told she won the ticket raffle to attend the concert.

"I’m glad I didn’t pass over that email," she said.

Deleston, eager to see Diana Ross and Big Sean, pushed her husband, Devery, in a wheelchair from Mexican Village restaurant to the western entrance of the concert on Michigan Avenue at Vernor Highway.

“It looks closer than it is,” said Deleston, whose husband has a prosthetic leg and has never visited the train station.

“I can’t believe they could make that old building shine again,” Devery Deleston said. “I can’t even believe that it was structurally sound. They had to pump out a million gallons of water .”

A $950 million investment in the future

Ford spent $950 million to develop the 30-acre campus, transforming and redeveloping multiple properties in Corktown, according to company spokesman Dan Barbossa.

The automaker declined to reveal the cost of restoring Michigan Central Station alone, instead bundling costs that include the Albert Kahn-designed Book Depository next door at 2050 15th St. That three-story, 270,000-square-foot building first opened in 1936 as a U.S. Post Office and later was a warehouse for Detroit Public Schools. After sitting unused for about three decades, it opened last year with workspaces and studios for mobility-focused companies and technologies.

Performers announced with surprises

Rumors swirled before the event about which artists might perform that weren't listed. Still, the names that were released sent concert fans into overdrive.

Once Tanner Langdon, 16, of Madison Heights, heard the music lineup for Michigan Central’s grand opening, there was no way he was missing out on the action. "I had to go."

On the day of the concert, Langdon heard that extra tickets were set to drop at 10 a.m., the same time as his 10th-grade honors history exam at Lamphere High School. Thankfully, his teacher held off for 10 minutes.

"He was totally down for it," Langdon said. "I got 'em."

White was the big draw, Langdon said. But if Stevie Wonder showed up, “I might actually pass out."

Prior to the concert, Jack White and Patti Smith and Slum Village were honored by Duggan and Ford.

The night belonged to Detroit, a gift for those who refused to give up.

Caitlin Hurley, 36, of Detroit, got emotional among the sea of people waiting to enter the grounds of Michigan Central Station.

“Where we’ve come from, where we’re going. Just being a part of it all,” she said.

Around her neck, a necklace with a speckled granite stone — a stone from the old bathroom countertops of Michigan Central Station.

Hurley, a jeweler at Elaine B Jewelry in Ferndale, crafted the necklace herself. It’s among the shop’s line of three different pieces using stones from the train station’s past. “I’m shaking right now."

Memories remain vivid

Security personnel in royal blue golf shirts and event staffers wearing black Carhartt T-shirts milled about Michigan Avenue. Mercury Burgers and Bar at Michigan Avenue and 14th Street was full. So was the bench outside. The bar even set up an outdoor serving station. Beer and wine was $5 apiece. Watermelon vodka was going for $12.

They also sold hot dogs, lemonade and Faygo pop.

On a bench outside, Tracey Wyatt, 58, of Detroit, sat with her 85-year-old mother, Shirley Wyatt. Their family moved here from Nashville after her father took a job working for Chrysler. He arrived first and they came later.

“I was brought here on a train by my parents in 1966,” Tracey Wyatt said. She was not quite 2 then, and she doesn’t remember the train ride, but her mother does.

Shirley Wyatt said, "I haven’t been here since then. To see it reopen is historic.”

Contact Phoebe Wall Howard : 313-618-1034 or [email protected] . Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter @phoebesaid . Read more on Ford and sign up for our autos newsletter .

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Diana Ross, Eminem, Jack White and Many More Light Up Detroit’s ‘Concert From Michigan Central’

By Caryn Rose

Diana Ross, Eminem, Jack White and Many More Light Up Detroit’s ‘Concert From Michigan Central’ 2 days ago
Rolling Stones Perform ‘Time Is on My Side’ With New Orleans Legend Irma Thomas at Steamy Jazz Fest: Concert Review 1 month ago

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JUNE 06: Diana Ross performs onstage at Live from Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central" at Michigan Central Station on June 06, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

When your all-star Detroit concert opens with none other than Miss Diana Ross gliding down the stage catwalk in an enormous cloud of orange chiffon singing “I’m Coming Out,” you are setting the bar high from the jump — especially if you’re kicking off an event with Eminem , Jack White , Jelly Roll, Common and many others.

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Eminem Pulls a 'Houdini' with Surprise Performance at Detroit Concert Event

The rapper performed his new track "Houdini," along with "Sing for the Moment," "Welcome 2 Detroit" and "Not Afraid"

Eminem made a surprise appearance at the Live From Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central event on Wednesday
The rapper debuted his new song "Houdini"
Eminem performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra behind him

Eminem is giving fans another reason to "stan" thanks to his surprise appearance at the “ Live From Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central ” event.

Following performances by Diana Ross , Big Sean and others, the rapper, 51, shocked the audience when he took the stage at the end of the event held on Thursday, June 6.

Bill Ford, executive chair of Ford, welcomed the musician on stage, saying, "Please welcome to the stage a legend who really needs no introduction. He's a global ambassador for our city. He loves our city and our city loves him. He's joined by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Eminem."

“The Real Slim Shady” singer — who grew up just outside of Detroit and executive produced the all-star outdoor music event — then made his appearance in a gray hoodie and basketball cap as he performed his new song "Houdini," as well as "Sing for the Moment" with Jelly Roll , "Welcome 2 Detroit" with rapper Trick Trick and "Not Afraid."

Aaron J. Thornton/Getty

In videos posted on X (former Twitter), country singer Jelly Roll, 39, could be seen performing "Dream On" ahead of the "Rap God" musician launching into a performance of "Sing for the Moment" to huge cheers from the crowd.

The star also performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra behind him as pyrotechnics lit up the stage to his songs, according to videos posted on X . His performance ended with a firework show that concluded the event.

John D Shearer/Shutterstock

Eminem’s family also came out to show their support at the show. His daughter Hailie Jade , 28, and her new husband Evan McClintock were spotted in the audience, while his other children Alaina Marie , 31, and Stevie Laine , 22, were also seen at the show.

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Scott Legato/Getty

On June 3, Michigan Central announced the performers for the big event and even seemingly teased Eminem’s performance, noting that “surprise special guests” were scheduled to appear. Alongside Jelly Roll, Ross, 80, and Big Sean, 36, Jack White , Common , Fantasia , the Clark Sisters , Kierra Sheard , Illa J, Melissa Etheridge , Theo Parrish, Slum Village and Sky Jetta were also announced.

In addition to the performers, the star-studded Detroit program also featured "cultural legends" and presenters like Mike Epps , Sophia Bush , Detroit Lions icon Barry Sanders and NFL stars Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

The event was held to celebrate the grand reopening of the Michigan Central Station in Detroit, which had closed down in 1988 after falling into disrepair. It eventually landed in the hands of Ford in 2018, and was restored over the next six years into a tech and culture hub.

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Aaron J. Thornton/Getty

Ahead of the event, a press release said the Michigan Central concert will “bring to life the spirit and soul of Detroit” with an impressive slate of musical performances, short films and appearances from local leaders and creators “telling stories of innovation and culture from around the city and the region."

In a separate statement, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said, "Detroit is known around the world for its musical talent, and having so many legendary artists kick off the celebration for the reopening of the iconic Michigan Central Station shows how meaningful this moment is for our city.”

He added, “This historic landmark symbolizes Detroit’s resilience, innovation, and now, its bright future. This is about more than preserving a piece of our past. It also is about paving the way for a new era of growth and opportunity for all Detroiters.”

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Dark Star Orchestra Announces 2022 Winter Tour

Dark star orchestra, dark star orchestra tour, dark star orchestra 2022 tour, dark star orchestra 2022 winter tour, dark star orchestra winter tour, dark star orchestra mission ballroom

Dark Star Orchestra has announced a 2022 winter tour that will see the group bring its Grateful Dead -inspired performances to audiences across the western United States.

DSO will kick off its 11-date tour with a two-night run at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe in Stateline, NV on January 28th and 29th. From there the band will stage a four-night run through California, making stops in San Luis Obispo’s Fremont Theater on February 2nd, Monterey’s Golden State Theatre on the 3rd, and San Francisco’s The Warfield on the 4th and 5th.

Related: Dark Star Orchestra To Return To Jamaica In 2022 For Jam In The Sand

Rounding out the tour, DSO will head to Utah for a one-off show at The Commonwealth Room in Salt Lake City (2/8), before spending three nights in Colorado. The multi-night romp through The Centennial State will start at Belly Up in Aspen on February 10th, followed by an all-acoustic show at 10 Mile Music Hall in Frisco on the 11th, and finally the band’s Mission Ballroom debut in Denver on February 12th.

Tickets for all newly-announced winter tour dates go on sale this Friday, December 3rd, at 10 a.m. local time. Head to the band’s website for additional ticket information and scroll down for a complete list of tour dates.

Dark Star Orchestra 2022 Winter Tour Dates

Jan 28 & 29 – Stateline, NV – Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Jan 31 – Chico, CA – Senator Theatre Feb 2 – San Luis Obispo, CA – Fremont Theater Feb 3 – Monterey, CA – Golden State Theatre Feb 4 & 5 – San Francisco, CA – The Warfield Feb 8 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Commonwealth Room Feb 10 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up Feb 11 – Frisco, CO – 10 Mile Music Hall – ACOUSTIC Feb 12 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom

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Leslie Odom, Jr.: The Christmas Tour

Sunday, December 22, 2024—7:00pm

Tickets on sale Tuesday, July 9

Broadway star Leslie Odom, Jr. joins the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for a special evening of Christmas, Broadway, and popular hits. The Grammy® and Tony award-winner—renowned for his performance in the original cast of Hamilton— will light up Orchestra Hall with his vocal prowess and charisma to celebrate the holiday season.

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Dark Star Orchestra is a tribute band that recreates the live shows of the Grateful Dead. Find out their latest news, streaming options and summer tour dates for 2024.
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Diana Ross, Eminem, Jack White and Many More Light Up Detroit's 'Concert From Michigan Central'. By Caryn Rose. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) When your all-star Detroit concert ...
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