GOOD PEOPLE WHO SHOW UP

DETROIT

is changing. There is new energy coming in as it is becoming a destination for many new spirited souls. One of the attractions for the new arrivals is the character of the steady folks who have stood by our city through its ups and downs. Those who always could see the beauty in a moment and the potential of the future. Detroit has always had a rock steady core of citizens who have unwaveringly stood by the city and could always be counted on.

You know who they are and where you can often find them. Here are some places I have found them.

JANE’S BRAND NEW HOME OIL/CANVAS

HABITUALS WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITIES

Detroit has an active chapter of Habitat for Humanities. Habitat is a national program dedicated to assist neighbors in getting sustainable housing and becoming home owners. Here is how they describe themselves: “Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit Christian housing organization founded on the conviction that everyone should have a decent, safe, affordable place to live.” Habitat does good work in our community. Through the years in Detroit there has been a group that always shows up. These are all volunteers who can be counted on to be the core knowledgeable workers and group leaders. They are called “habituals” by the staff of Habitat for Humanity. They know who they are. Often they are the older men and women who are on the scaffolding showing the younger volunteers the safe way to complete the job.

REGULARS AT THE FESTIVAL

I still can’t get over seeing so many of the same faces at this year’s Detroit Jazz Festival. I think of them as the regulars. These are the folks who show up at the festival every Labor Day weekend. These jazz fans really know the music, and their presence assures that the festival remains an honest pure jazz festival. They prevent it from becoming something less. Every year there seem to be more and more jazz fans returning in response to Chris Collins’ purposeful leadership. Power to the regulars.

DEPENDABLES AT THE DIRTY DOG

The Dirty Dog Jazz Café is blessed to have a cadre of regulars. Scattered through the club on most nights will be familiar smiles and earnest attention directed toward the artists. These are generally lifelong jazz enthusiasts who know a good thing when they find it. The Dirty Dog Jazz Café offers an intimate venue dedicated to bringing all of us together.

While welcoming the evening’s band, Willie Jones will often ask whose who are returning to raise their hands. A lot of wine glasses and forks are put down on tables as hands go up. Dave Bennett one upped Willie last week by asking for all those who have seen him before AND those who are seeing him for the first time to raise their hands. There was was a unanimous good-natured response, which is something we can depend on.