Kundalini Splendor

My dear friends and colleagues,

As you can see in this photo, my new book, They Call Me Grandma Techno, is now in print and can be ordered online at 1xRUN.com! The 157-page hardcover book features 150 color photos that I took at the Movement Detroit electronic music festival every year from 2007-2018. Detroit Free Press Pop Music Critic Brian McCullum's conversation with Grandma Techno provides text for the book, and Jason Clark of Paxahau writes an introduction to the Movement festival and Grandma Techno's place in its history.

With heartfelt thanks to my publisher, Jesse Cory of 1xRUN, the Paxahau producers of Movement Detroit, hundreds of generous donors to our Kickstarter campaign, and an enthusiastic team of creative, committed individuals and groups who have worked for months on this project, we are ready to celebrate a book launch and signing at the Sheometry Music & Art Festival at Detroit’s Marble Bar on Saturday, August 10.

In addition to Grandma Techno’s book signing from 12 noon - 8 PM, this female-centric festival features performances by R&B artists Monica Blaire and Ideeyah, and electronic music DJs Stacey “Hotwaxx” Hale, Minx, Whodat, Jenny LaFemme and John Collins, among others. It goes from 12 noon until 2 AM and includes art curated by Detroit painter Sabrina Nelson, a wide array of food, vendors and grassroots organizations. Festival tickets can be ordered online via Resident Advisor.

Over these past months I have been fortunate to be featured in the VICE video, “Grandma Techno Captures Detroit’s Rave Culture,” and a radio interview with Ryan Patrick Hooper of WDET, Detroit’s public radio station, “Grandma Techno Parties Harder Than You.” The adventure continues…

I look forward to seeing some of you at the book launch but whether or not you can join us in person, please know that I am grateful for the time, energy, support and encouragement I have received from each one of you during my years as a photographer.

All the best,
Patricia a.k.a. Grandma Techno

Patricia Lay-Dorsey
www.patricialaydorsey.com
playdorsey@comcast.net
Instagram @patricialaydorsey

(from Dorothy:  Patricia and I have been closest friends for over 20 years.  We met when I was living in San Francisco and she was spending winters there to escape the harsh weather of Grosse Pointe (near Detroit).  Åt that time, she simply used a cane (as I recall) but even then she showed her spirit and spunk.  She often rode the Muni across the Bay to attend Jazz music in Oakland, and then returned alone at a late hour.  Brave woman!

When the U. S. invaded Iraq, the U. S. began rounding up persons with suspicious passports and deporting them summarily, often without benefit of trial or hearing.  One such person was held in detention without trial, having been seized in front of his terrified wife and children without notice or due cause.  Patricia befriended his wife, who went to court again and again, hoping to get a hearing of his case.  ˇhis hearing never happened.  Ultimately he and his wife were reunited in Lebanon and they invited Patricia to visit them and she accepted.  She traveled overseas alone and had a wonderful reunion with her friends.

More than once, Patricia drove alone (in her outfitted van) from Detroit to NYC, this at a time when she was unable to take a single step alone––M.S.

Sh is a gifted photographer and her work can be seen on Instagram.  She is one of the most remarkable persons I have ever known and I am immensely grateful to have known her.)