Detroit Shows Its Best Moves

For the seventh straight Memorial Day weekend, Detroit turned into a massive dance party — and the entire world was invited.

Fans came from Germany, Japan and Mexico; musicians from South Africa, France and the UK performed; media from Asia, Europe and the Americas filmed and filed stories.

Bodies were in motion: on the grass at the riverfront, on the streets and sidewalks or in the dozens of clubs, galleries and lofts where off site parties began last Wednesday and ended seven days later.   

To begin describing highlights from Movement ’06 — an electronic music festival held at Hart Plaza and organized by the local Paxahau crew— is a near impossible exercise. There was something for all: Detroit greats Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May and Carl Craig performed at a festival they all had a part in organizing in the past; new and old Euro stars like Cologne’s Superpitcher and the Orb — with members based in London and Berlin — played at the event for the first time.

Newcomers asked if the weather (in the 80s and 90s all weekend) was always this “tropical” in Detroit; they asked when the gorgeous Guardian Building was built or how Canada could possibly be south of the U.S.

They asked if they should walk from Jefferson Avenue to the Majestic Theatre or take a cab. They were usually bleary-eyed from lack of sleep when they asked. But they were full of smiles and ready to experience more of Detroit’s overflowing heart and soul. They always seemed ready to dance to the music one more time.