Mr. Szylak- start up the electrical wonderment that is Hamtramck Disneyland, because they're coming. And they are ready to experience all that Hamtramck has to offer, in all its unabashed splendor.

The crowds will descend upon Hamtramck in all its glory, with the scents of Kowalski in the air and the sound of music coming from all angles. It's time forBlowout, the largest neighborhood music festival in the nation.

Kicking it off tonight in Hamtramck are Brooklyn's (yep) Hunters, performing at the Polish National Alliance Lounge. Then it's off to the races. With so many bands, get ready to run around town like a champ going for the gold. Except your trophy will be that golden 40 of Tecate, with a lime of course.

So is it going to be the Whiskey Charmers or Child Bite? Depends what you're into. Will you land at Bakers Streetcar to scope out The Vonneguts or will Bleached or the Hard Lessons make the list?

Round II Hamtramck gives us even more choices, or dilemmas, depending how you look at it. Will it beRaptura or Amateur Anthropologist? Oscillating Fan Club versus Choking Susan... the possibilities endless. Check out as much as you can of this musical playground- here's a handy schedule to keep it all under control.

After all the crashing bands and thunderous applause, maybe some awesome musical renditions from Detroit Party Marching Band, (did someone say Hall & Oates- ooh yeah!) what are we left with- a stunning hangover and some wicked sticky shoes? Not this year. This Blowout is different. We get the Grand Prize; this marks the first time in its 16 years that this event has included two different locales over two weekends.

So, next weekend will be an entirely different scene, with Ferndale providing the backdrop for more music and debauchery. In the end, the agenda is the same: catching some bands and having the best time ever.

Will Blowout trade in its Hamtramck grit for Ferndale glam- losing its edge, becoming just another music festival? Is Hamtramck marked as the Ugly Stepsister, and Ferndale as the Belle of the Ball, or is this a savvy evolution, necessary to catapult it to the next realm of music festivals? The times they are a changin,' and it may depend on what the cat drags in this year.

As the sounds of crashing instruments and screaming garage bands swirl through the air and hit the street, Dmytro quietly turns his lights on full blast, like he does most evenings in Hamtramck. He is, after all, the biggest rock star of them all.

Just call her firestarter. Alicia Keys set the stage ablaze as she performed in Detroit at the Joe Louis Arena. The show was a stop on Keys' current Set the World on Fire tour. She didn't need a molotov for the job, her musical talent created enough heat to blow the roof off.

Starting off from behind a curtain, it was pulled back to reveal a silhouette of Keys through a window. The veil was lifted and revealed Ms. Keys dressed to kill in couture. Wearing a shimmering geometric top- reminiscent of the Stereo Negative installation at Dlectricity- paired with black leggings, t-strap pumps, and punctuated by her signature wide-brim fedora, she owned the look from head to toe.

Her moves were seductive and seamless, as she strutted around stage, the lights accentuating her body perfectly with every move she made. Ms. Keys stunning voice filled the arena as she sang a large range of songs, including a massive amount of hits.

The talented songstress took a seat at the grand piano, and played to accompany her songs. Impressive to see, this was a highlight for many in the crowd who came to witness her signature skills at the piano.

Alicia Keys is a multi-talented performer and artist who set the night on fire, extinguishing it as she exited the stage after her final encore that night.

The Verge Campus tour opened the season this Friday evening at Meadow Brook Music Festival, where Steve Aoki ripped into a packed house with his hardcore production skills.

Cold for April, and frigid enough for the entire crowd to wear coats, one lone fan wearing red velvet stilettos stole the show, until the the man of the hour, Aoki blasted onstage at full speed, attacking his DJM-900 Nexus mixers in an onslaught of color.

It was so cold you could see his breath. Aoki was dripping in scarlet red and electric blue, then Bombs Away! He transformed into a massive explosion of energy, detonating in front of the sold-out crowd of 8,000. They mimicked his moves, going wild, thrashing their arms in the air to the commanding beat.

It is shocking what a man standing behind an immovable block can accomplish. His sets are high energy house parties, with brilliant performance art arriving in waves throughout the show. Let's just say it usually involves birthday cake and navigating through thousands of people in an inflatable raft- treacherous and thrilling. Whenever he went wild, so did the crowd.

Later he did what any guy owning a fashion house would do, and performed a wardrobe change, shedding his jacket for a t-shirt featuring a deranged version of Mr. T. It's rumored he's scheming with his fashionista sister to introduce a new line, so be on the lookout for that collab on the horizon.

Aoki transforms everywhere he goes into a Wonderland; a place of hardcore enchantment with treacherous adventure at every turn. Maybe one day he'll arrive on the scene with an invisible cheshire cat and play some croquet using a flamingo- until then, he knows how to throw a raging Mad Tea Party, overflowing with champagne and cake. And if this curious Land includes buckets of mud, freezing cold temperatures, and riding the rapids- then this must be the place.

Anika can turn a blue sky grey. Creating impossible sounds with a voice that casts a spell on everything it reaches, she has the ability to transform songs into something haunting.

A singer out of Berlin, Anika is set to release her latest album, Anika EP, today. Between writing and recording new material in Bristol, getting ready to perform with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs in London, and trekking through the mountains of France, the intriguing artist was able to find the time to answer some questions I had.

Continue reading as Anika lifts the veil and allows us to catch a brief glimpse into her musical influences, refusing to change her sound, and future plans to tour in the States.
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Your sound is so unique, how have you been able to navigate through the industry artistically?

With a bulldozer… Or perhaps just by not worrying too much about where it fits in or what it should be 'filed next to.'

How long did it take to break into the business and really get going to the point you are at now?

Am I 'in the business'? I think the important thing is just to carry on doing what you enjoy doing and you'll be ok.

What were you doing for work prior to making the album?

I was a political journalist, writing about EU higher education policy.

So you studied politics, will some of your views and insight seep their way into your albums?

Yes, of course. No One's There.

Writer's Note: "No One's There" is a song that can be found on the Anika EP

What inspires you to create?

A need for release.

Did anyone try to change your sound or attempt to place you in a box? 

Yes, but this is a natural process, so I'm not too worried. Many people told me "all you need to do for your project to be accepted/become rich and famous is…" iron out the creases mainly.

What was your reaction to that advice?

I smiled and nodded and did the opposite.

Have you ever altered how you present yourself to fit into fan's expectations?

Someone in France once told me "I should tone down the German accent because the French don't like the Germans" They were being serious.

Who are you listening to now?

Hyperdub rinse FM show on soundcloud.

What was your experience performing at SXSW?

Actually, we are yet to perform live at SXSW. I DJ'd one year and that was fun. Sadly it comes down to visa issues, why we are yet to play there live as a full band.

The next time you are able to tour in the United States, are you planning on shocking audiences with your anti-performance style?

Hmm- well I'm thinking of changing tactics for the next album. We shall see..

Are their any plans for a US tour in the future? 

Yes, I would very much like to. Hopefully early next year, with a full band and a van.

Have you been recording or writing anything for release? Are there any plans for another new album?

Yes, I would love to record a new album. I'm in the process of writing it now…

Who are you influenced by musically? 

Geoff Barrow

What is your next move?

To keep playing music and not quit even though it can be tempting sometimes. I have started some side projects also, to help vent my emotions...

Anika EP will be released through Stones Throw today.

The Everhart Museum was established in Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1908 by Dr. Isaiah Everhart. Initially started as a venue to showcase regional birds and animals, it now houses a diversified collection including Fine Art, Folk Art, decorative art + Natural Science specimens.

A cat burglar stole two pieces in 2005, a Jackson Pollock painting, as well as a silkscreen by Warhol. The FBI stated that it was a synchronized plan and that the thief used ladders and the aid of a well-placed event tent to break through the glass on the second level of the building. The case remains unsolved.

Check out the Everhart for its permanent collections and unique exhibitions + special events including The Art & Culture of Skateboarding, The Green Hour: Absinthe at the Everhart & Bats on the Atlantic Coast. Awesome!