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Micah is out this week for a well-deserved break. But she still has a story for you after talking with some artists in Southwest Detroit about a city-approved mural project that officials accidentally mistook for a graffiti tag and erased.
Richie Blanko said the vision, from fellow artist, David Fernandez, came together this fall as a way to honor Fernandez’ eight-year-old daughter, Laura, who died in August.
Fernandez gained permission from Detroit’s City Walls program. Then, in October, Fernandez, Blanko and about 10 other artists began working on the mural near a viaduct on Waterman Street near Stratton.
The blue wall took on a Western theme; desert rocks, purple mountains in the background, cacti. On the left side “Laura” was painted in large, purple letters, along with “RIP” in a smaller font.
But on Oct. 23, Fernandez’s tribute to his daughter was gone.
The city’s graffiti team accidentally buffed the wall that been the past target of multiple graffiti tags, Crystal Perkins, director of the city’s General Services Department, said in a statement.
“We deeply apologize to the artist and support the completion of this mural,” she said.
Perkins said Fernandez is getting $5,000 from the city toward restarting the project this spring.
But Blanko and other artists note the city’s controversial history with blight and spray paint and are renewing calls to ensure they have a voice.
313 Scene
- Deitrick Haddon will perform his “gospel soul” music at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday at the Detroit Music Hall, 350 Madison Ave. The shows will also feature Charles Jenkins, Tasha Lockhart, J Moss, Tim Bowman Jr., Mali Music and more. Haddon’s new album, “R.E.D.,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Charts and the album’s lead single, “Have Your Way,” hit No. 2 on iTunes. For tickets call (313) 887-8501 or visit TicketMaster.com.
- Catch a performance of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at the Fox Theatre from Wednesday through Dec. 2. Tickets start at $55.
- Comedian Sarah Silverman will be at the Filmore Detroit at 8 p.m. Dec. 6. Buy tickets at LiveNation.com.
- The Joshua Chorale will perform at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 8 inside Old St. Mary’s Church, 646 Monroe Street, in Greektown. The performance will mark the nonprofit’s final stop on its Detroit Historic Churches Tour of 2024. The free event is open to the public and will be followed by Christmas caroling throughout Greektown.
What’s going on in the D?
- Visit the Livernois and Six Mile district from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday for “Shop the Smalls.” Explore pop-up shops at The Raw Space , Detroit Sip, Sips On Six, and 7434 W. McNichols (next door to HomeBase), and the soft opening of Mockery Zero Proof, the city’s first zero proof bottle shop and bar. Six Bucks gift certificates will also be available to spend at Metro Detroit Barber College , Detroit Pizza Bar 2Bright313 , T-Mo’s BBQ , Sips On Six, and Mockery. Learn more.
- Stop in at The Congregation for an artisan market and live music between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, 9321 Rosa Parks Blvd. The market in the lower level fellowship hall will offer a variety of handmade crafts, artisanal goods, delicious treats, and more.
- The Shadow Gallery Detroit is hosting its “Harvest Pour: A Fall Mixology Class” from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Saturday. The hands-on cocktail class will teach attendees how to craft festive fall drinks and mocktails. The gallery is located at 1533 Winder Street in Eastern Market. Sign up on Eventbrite.
- Drop by the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation building on Saturday for live painting demonstrations, pop-up shops, pictures with Santa and more. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1211 Trumbull.
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