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Rock City

* Rick Manore, founder of the most happening art gallery in Detroit, is passionate about the city’s cool culture.

words by > Christina Kallery

Ever wonder what life would be like if your parents were travel agents? For Rick Manore, this lucky upbringing transformed him into a world traveler at a young age. After soaking up the sights and culture everywhere from Africa and the Far East to Europe and the Caribbean, Manore returned to the Detroit area with an unquenchable passion for art and the drive to do something about the thriving creative energy in his hometown. That something was founding CPop (www..cpop.com), a hip, rock ‘n’ roll-infused art gallery where scenesters, rockers and art collectors flock to check out the latest work by, say, Japanese pop artists, urban toy designer Kid Robot or Detroit art legends Niagara, Glenn Barr and Tyree Guyton. In the seven years since its inception, CPop has not only grabbed headlines as one of the city’s biggest seeand-be-seen nightspots, but it’s helped put Detroit artists on the map. Here’s what Manore had to say about art, culture and good times in the city of Detroit.

What sets the Detroit art scene apart from what you’ll encounter in other cities?

The Detroit art experience is about turn-of-the-century buildings that are falling apart, which gives it a weird kind of post-industrial charm and a gothic look. I lived in LA for eight years, and there you’re too busy going to the beach or going to the mountains. There’s a reason why Motown came out of Detroit: it’s hardscrabble and people have to entertain and express themselves. This city is a hotbed of creativity, great art and music.

What are some other must-see local galleries?

I like the G.R. N’Namdi Gallery (www..grnnamdigallery.com), the Detroit Artists Market (www.detroitartistsmarket.org) and the Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit (www..thecaid.org). Also Tyree Guyton’s Heidelberg Project (www.heidelberg.org); here’s a guy who took the negative and turned it into a positive. He takes all the junk that’s thrown out, and he paints it and throws it in this city block. It’s an incredible place to see.

CPop openings are legendary in Detroit. What’s a good opening night like for you?

A good opening means I’m not having fun. I gauge it by how frantic I am. Our events attract a really crazy cross-section of people. We’re lucky like that. Half the crowd comes to people watch. It’s fun to see who shows up, what crazy fashion and haircuts people are wearing. When it starts to look like a circus, then it’s a CPop opening.

Detroit has so much going on musically. What are some of your favorite places to see shows?

The Magic Stick (www.majesticdetroit.com) is located just next door to CPop, and also there is the Lager House on Michigan Avenue (www.lagerhousedetroit.com). Those are great places to see bands.

Got a few favorite restaurants in town?

I love the food in Greektown and I like Small Plates, the tapas restaurant (www.smallplates.com). And I gotta tell ya, I love Lafayette Coney Island (313-964-8198). Detroit’s gift to the world of cuisine is meat with a meat topping—a hot dog with ground beef on it! But when you come here, you just have to try one.

How about a good place to get a drink and hang out with some friends?

Well I don’t drink anymore, but the Town Pump (www..thetownpumptavern.com) is a great place, and Seven Brothers Bar (313-365-6576) in Hamtramck is really good, too. If you want to go to a club, Oslo (313-963-0300) has a very cool atmosphere—they serve sushi and drinks.

What’s next on the calendar at CPop?

A young artist named Topher Crowder will be showing in the spring. He does these obsessive pen and ink pieces that are just amazing. Also, CPop owner Tom Thewes has an upcoming show—he bought the gallery but has never had a show in it until now.