Go get ‘em Tigers! This week in Downtown Detroit 4/3/13 to 4/9/13

Posted on April 3, 2013 at 6:25 am by with Leave a Comment
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For Detroit Tigers fans, the opening day of the baseball season is a de facto holiday.  They might go to work that day, but their thoughts are on what is the start of hopefully another run to the World Series and the party that is about to begin.  If all goes well, those fans are talking about making several trips to Comerica Park throughout the summer to support the team.

Justin Verlander Bobblehead for Fox Sports Detroit "April in the D"

Justin Verlander Bobblehead for Fox Sports Detroit "April in the D"

As hard as it is for us to fathom, there are people who don’t understand what the big deal about Opening Day is or worse, they don’t like baseball.  What can they do to enjoy Downtown Detroit without heading to the ballpark?  We’re glad you asked.

1.  Wines of California Pairing Dinner

Remembering what wine pairs well with what food can be a daunting challenge, especially when faced with a full aisle of wine in the grocery store with no sommelier in sight.  The fine folks at Fountain Bistro are giving you the chance to sample six different wines that pair well will six different courses, giving you an edge the next time you’re in the wine aisle.

2.  Naomi Long Madgett, Poet & Publisher – A Display

ArtXDetroit is back and the first display opens Saturday at the main branch of the Detroit Public Library with a celebration of Dr. Madgett’s writing.  What’s so impressive about the Kresge Eminent Artist Award recipient?  We would start that conversation by pointing to her career as a published poet that spans six decades.

3.  New Pop-Up: Dirt Label

Fans of pop-up shops you’re next opportunity to support an emerging Detroit-based clothing designer is coming to Greektown this weekend.  It is the launch of their spring collection, giving you a chance to get something that is uniquely Detroit way before your friends do.  Unless you take those friends with you to the pop-up shop of course!

4.  Burst Radio Live – wsg Greg Mudge

A reformatted Burst Radio is back.  They’re now broadcasting live monthly from Foran’s Grand Trunk Pub while collaborating with labels like Detroit Techno Militia to bring the world some of the best in Detroit’s electronic music scene.  Sunday features Greg Mudge but don’t think the headliner is the only reason to go.  Resident DJs and hosts of Burst Radio, Immerse and Harley from Detroit are two of the best around, regardless of where they call home.

5.  97th Birthday Party and Historic Preservation Fundraiser Organ Concert

Most church organs, even the big pipe organs, have some type of an electronic system that controls each note.  This one, at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Detroit, is one of the few in Detroit still in operation that is vacuum- powered, making it a beautiful instrument to hear when played by capable hands.  Help keep this unique peace of Detroit operational while keeping your ears happy with some beautiful music this Saturday.

From this week’s In Case You Missed It files, the Steinway piano that was part of the musical backbone of Motown Records is back in Studio A at the Motown Museum thanks in part to the generosity of Sir Paul McCartney.

Downtown, Midtown

It is officially spring in Detroit. Really. This week in Downtown Detroit 3/20/13 to 3/26/13

Posted on March 20, 2013 at 10:23 am by with Leave a Comment
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Today is the first day of spring.  While it might not feel like it when you step outside, there are a few sure signs that warmer weather is on the way back to Detroit.  Buds are starting to appear on trees.  Green stalks that will soon support beautiful flowers are beginning to peek out of the ground.  And the Marche Du Nain Rouge is this Sunday.

In honor of spring’s arrival, get out this weekend to transform your fears and doubts about this March into a ton of great memories about the first weekend of spring in Detroit.  Here are five ways to make that happen.

1.  La Fete Du Nain Rouge

Nora is one of those boutiques you don’t expect to see in Detroit but when you finally get there you wonder what took you so long.  It is part of Art Detroit Now’s Third Thursday’s promotion, so you get the chance to check out Detroit’s art scene while getting some shopping done.

2.  Business Promos and Events for the Marche/Run du Nain Rouge

Speaking of shopping, many Midtown retailers and restaurants are throwing open their doors and offering specials for people who are willing to come and drive the devil out of Detroit.

3.  The Last Temptation of the Nain Rouge

By now you know we love events with smartly written copy and the staff at Model D has given us something to love.  “What does a harbinger of doom do on the eve of his demise? Enjoy one last night of debauchery, of course.”  We’re sold!

4.  Run du Nain Rouge

Runners, you have until midnight tonight to sign up for this 5k.  Since this is the first one, you’ll be in an elite group of denizens who can say they remember when they got to chase the red devil out of Detroit before the march even started.

5.  Marche Du Nain Rouge

Describing the march itself is tough. It really is something that must be experienced to be understood.  The adventurous will be festooned in appropriate costumes, teams of people will be dragging their DIY chariots along the route and the Detroit Party Marching Band will follow along to keep participant’s spirits high.

And from this week’s In Case You Missed It files, our friends at Detroit Unspun give us this glimpse into what you can expect in year four of this parade.

Events, Midtown

Digging Downtown Detroit 365 days a year

Posted on March 13, 2013 at 11:33 am by with Leave a Comment
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It is officially St. Patrick’s Day weekend.  While the parade and 5k have already taken place, thousands of Detroiters will consume mass quantities of green beer and corned beef, while building up even the smallest threads of Irish heritage.

For those of us who have to work Monday or who don’t want another Irish whiskey fueled hangover, there is plenty to do in Downtown Detroit this weekend that won’t make your head hurt.

1.  Pink Slip Party

IT professionals, job-seeking IT professionals, people who want to hire IT professionals, people who think IT professionals, this event is for you.  Don’t dawdle about putting this on your calendar or you’ll miss tonight’s networking event!

2.  Tweed City: Detroit Bike City Charity Pre-Party

“Calling all fashionable cyclists to break out your Tweed jackets, jaunty wool caps, magnificent millinery and britches.”  Our writing can’t compete with that description.

3.  Detroit Deep Session Presents: Go Deep or Go Home

The lineup for this electronic music show looks impressive, and we’re not just saying that because we like UK Garage or Burst Radio resident DJ Mr. Jeffrey Woodward.  Don’t worry, the beats will be varied enough for everyone to have something to enjoy.

4.  Drinks X Design: Shinola

Technically, this event is sold out but there is a waiting list.  And you’ll want to wait just to get a peek at what they’re doing inside the Argonaut Building in Detroit’s New Center.  The pictures we’ve seen of the products they’re making have us salivating at our chance to get in and see for ourselves.

5.  Palmer Woods Music In Homes

Combine intimate venues with excellent professional musicians in one of Detroit’s most popular neighborhoods and you get a night out few will ever experience.  Trust us, there is something fun about hearing what musicians have to say about their last number as they’re turning the page in preparation for the next song.

From this week’s In Case You Missed It files, you’ve probably heard that Campbell Ewald is making the move back to Detroit.  Here’s a deeper look into why they moved with photos of their new space before it’s all dolled up.

 

Downtown, Events, Midtown

Spring is springing in Downtown Detroit! What to do downtown March 6 to March 12, 2013

Posted on March 6, 2013 at 12:16 pm by with Leave a Comment
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A sure sign spring is springing is the arrival of Daylight Savings Time.  This used to be a big deal back when everyone had to reset their watches rather than wait for their cell phones to update.  It was, and probably still is, a good time to make sure you do things like change the batteries in your smoke detectors and other things your parents nagged you to do.

It also means more events will start happening outside again after a long winter’s nap.  Here is a mix of events to help you get over the idea you will soon be losing another hour of desperately needed recovery sleep.

1.  Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

This is the 1971 Gene Wilder version, not the creepy Johnny Depp version, so fear not.  As an added treat, you’ll be able to meet Charlie Bucket and Mike Teevee.  Tickets will only set you back $5, making the field trip to the far northwest corner of Detroit even easier to justify to your friends who only want to stay Downtown.

2.  The Guard

St. Patrick’s Day is a weekend away, which means you only have a few days to prepare, so why not check out the highest-grossing independent film to ever leave the Irish shores?

St. Patricks Day Parade 3.  Detroit’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Speaking of St. Patrick’s Day, the parade is a week before the actual holiday this year.  While some complain, we see it as another excuse to extend the fun of the holiday for at least seven days.  There is nothing like meeting 65,000 of your best friends in Corktown on a Sunday afternoon!

4.  Regional Roots: The Birth and Evolution of Detroit and Its People

It is no secret Detroit historically wasn’t always a friendly place for immigrants to settle.  Nonetheless, they did settle and they continue to shape the culture of our city.  This documentary, the first to receive the Michigan film tax credit, shows the impact immigrants have made on our fair city from the French settlers who founded Detroit to present-day.

5.  Detroit 

“Detroit is a fresh, off-beat look at the seductive moment when we dare to open ourselves up to something new.”  While the promoters at the Hillberry Theatre were talking about the play Detroit, this line is a great metaphor for the city, isn’t it?

From this week’s In Case You Missed It files, have you stopped to think about just how lucky you are to live in Detroit right now?  Lest you think you aren’t all that lucky, may we present artist John Houshmand’s opinion of the Motor City.

Corktown, Downtown

Time to ditch your snow shovel? What to do downtown Feb 27 to March 5, 2013

Posted on February 28, 2013 at 11:54 am by with Leave a Comment
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By the time you read this today, you’re probably ready to shove that snow shovel back into a closet where it won’t be seen for another year.  You desperately crave some time away from the sheer physical labor it takes to dig your car out on a regular basis.

You search for fun should begin in Downtown Detroit.  In case you need a few reasons why, we’ve got five that should convince you that staying Downtown is always a blast regardless of the amount of snow on the ground.

 

Dreamtigers

Saturday kicks of the latest play in the PuppetART Theater’s season and Dreamtigers sounds like a very cute show.  Paired with a trip to Vicente’s for lunch, which is less than a block away, you have a great way to spend some family time doing things that are fun for everyone.

PuppetART Theater has shows on March o2, 9, 16, 21, or 23.

MOCAD and Green Brain Comics Present the 4th Annual Comic Jam With Special Guest Noah Van Sciver

Want to add your talent to a comic that’s being designed by the community or meet someone who is currently making a big splash in the graphic novel world?  Why not do both at MOCAD?

What’s Cooking – Culinary School and Expo

Remember the last time you took a sick day?  You found yourself channel surfing and landed on a show called The Chew.  You decided to watch because Michael Symon is on the show and you have to figure out how he makes brussel sprouts taste so good.  Well, one of his co-hosts, Carla Hall, is in town and is part of an event that aims to show you how to cook the way people do on TV.  It’s almost as good as meeting the Iron Chef himself, right?

The Modern Man Showcase and Best Dressed Contest

A men’s fashion show that focuses on modern clothing designs with a1930’s flair held at the impeccably restored Cliff Bell’s?  You did say you’re going, right?

Taste the World – The World of Curry

The Taste the World events at COLORS Detroit are back and the menu looks just as delicious as we’ve come to expect.  Just as importantly, this is an inexpensive night out that gives you a chance to meet a ton of people working hard to break down the racial barriers that painfully still exist in our city.

And from this week’s In Case You Missed It files, The Atlantic Cities digs into the numbers about population in Downtown Detroit and the results of the article have people talking.

Downtown, Midtown
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