Holiday in Detroit

Okay, I've been posting a lot about Detroit lately, I just realized. Whatever, it's what is inspiring to me right now, so I'm going with it. Next up on my Detroit agenda (along with the last post re: checking out new fun places to go) is the 5th Annual Shop Detroit event! Put on by Detroit Synergy, this is an even that takes place over four Saturday's and allows people from all over a chance to peruse and partake in much of what the creative people of Detroit have to offer/sell. Each Saturday, beginning with this upcoming Sat., hosts a new location and new bevy of artists and artisans. Here is the info - I'm straight copying and pasting it from the DS website:

Welcome to Shop Detroit!

Now in it's fifth year, we're planning a bigger event than ever! Previously a one-day event, this year's Shop Detroit will highlight four distinct districts—read on, shoppers!

Shop!

11am to 4pm each day! Check in, grab a bag, take a tour, shop till you drop!

November 29 | Downtown
Check In | Lofts of Merchant's Row

Help bring back the heyday of downtown shopping! From shops that have endured the test of time to the new kids on the block, the Central Business District and it's surrounds have a lot to offer. This area is peppered with an eclectic mix of merch: men's and women's apparel, jewelry, accessories, salons, and spas. And—don't forget to do lunch!

December 6 | Midown/University & Cultural Center
Check In | Willy's Overland Lofts

Shop during the day and stay for Noel Night for one exciting time in Midtown! Check out what's hopping—from museum gift shops to hip boutiques, this neighborhood's retailers will be all decked out with holiday hype. The evening will be filled with fun and sparkle and music and other festivities!

December 13 | Russell Industrial Center
Check In | Food Court

What a little hotbed creativity! The new Russell Bazaar is giving many Detroit entrepreneurs a chance to show off. Discover fine art, handicrafts, and just plain kitsch in this historic warehouse complex. You know you've just been dying to get in!

December 20 | Eastern Market
Check In | Shed 5

You know it and love it! Enjoy the bounty that is Eastern Market. Gifts for all the foodies in your life—from locally made products to goodies from around the globe—there's something for everyone! Looking for just the right ingredients for your holiday dinner? Now's the time to pick it up! Whether you're sticking with tradition or cookin' up something new, Eastern Market's got you covered!

Features & Fun

Watch this space for more details! We'll add more as we continue planning.

SHOPPING BAGS! Get a nifty, reusable tote bag filled with a map and store directory and other good stuff when you check in. This will identify you as a SD participant and be your ticket to great offers. Bring it back on each of the four days, and keep filling it up!

SALES, SPECIAL OFFERS, SURPRISES! Each participating merchant is doing something special! We've left them to their own devices, so even we don't know what they're planning! Will you find 50% discounts, free cookies and cocoa? It's all part of the fun! We'll list some of them here as we get more details! Here's a sneak peek:

• Rowland Cafe or Stella International Cafe1/2 off any regular-sized coffee or latte. Offer valid for all 4 Shop Detroit days. Just show your bag. Limit one per customer.

WALKING TOURS! Sponsored and conducted by our friends at Inside Detroit, each tour will highlight retailers, history, and insider information! Think you know it all? Meet the shop owners and get a behind the scenes look at some real Detroit gems. It's a great way to see the sights and get your holiday shopping done!

• Tours depart from the check in location at Noon and 2pm each event day and last approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
• Limited spots available! Inside Detroit Tours are popular—to guarantee your spot on the tour, send an RSVP email to shopdetroit@detroitsynergy.org with the subject line "RSVP Tour".

To top it off, Noel Night will be happening on the evening of the second Saturday shopping event! Here's the info on that from the UCCA (University Center Cultural Assoc) site:

Noel Night Schedule

Noel Night Map

Noel Night Media Page

Noel Night Sponsors

36th Annual Noel Night

When:	Saturday, December 6, 2008
Time:	5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Where:	Midtown Detroit's University Cultural Center District
Cost:	FREE

The 36th Annual Noel Night will take place on Saturday, December 6th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Midtown Detroit’s Cultural Center Area. Over 30 institutions, including the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Science Center, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Detroit Public Library, amongst many others, open their doors to the public free of charge during this Cultural Center-wide holiday "open house." Activities include horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday shopping, family craft activities and performances by over 70 area music, theatre, and dance groups. The evening’s festivities culminate with a community sing-along on Woodward Avenue led by the Salvation Army Band — a long-standing Noel Night tradition.

Noel Night activities take place in and around Midtown Detroit’s Cultural Center institutions, primarily between Cass and John R and Kirby and Willis. Free shuttle service is offered between participating venues. Convenient parking is available in area lots.

Noel Night is produced by the University Cultural Center Association (UCCA), a nonprofit community development organization that supports economic growth in Detroit's Midtown district.

For more Noel Night information, contact: The UCCA at 313.577.5088
For Digital Photos: detroitmidtown@yahoo.com


So much fun happening all around us! There is no room for "Michigan sucks!" or "Detroit is so boring!" whining now, bitches. It's time to venture out of our warm and cozy homes and dive in to the grit and splendor of the city! Who's coming with me?

The D is more fun than you think ...

… not that I ever thought it was particularly boring, I just haven’t been venturing out to very many new spots. Sure, there is the occasional suggestion from somebody to try a restaurant or hotspot, but it’s rare and most of the time, when we do go down, we visit the same haunts. Well, after our mini-happy-hour pub crawl on Friday, Mark and I are all kinds of excited about trying out so many ‘new’ (to us) spots in our wonderful Downtown and I thought you all might like to read about some of the stuff we found. The extensive list can be found at http://www.insidedetroit.org/ (the organization who did the pub crawl), but I’ll just go thru some that Jeanette, one of the owners/founders of Inside Detroit, discussed with us – she took the time to take our sheet (126 bars/restaurants/cafes in just the downtown area on one side and 92 more in the Midtown, New Center, Corktown, Eastern Mkt and Riverfront neighborhoods on the other side) and circle the “must go to’s”. The blurb on each place is from the Inside Detroit site:

• Beaubien Street Saloon -- 641 Beaubien
  More than just a great sports bar. The Beaubien is Detroit’s version of “Cheers”. Cheap beer and pool, and by your second visit everyone knows your name.
• Cliff Bell’s – 2030 Park (Mark and I are SO excited to try this place – every Wed. a 16 piece big band performs for only $5 cover and the pictures on the website look AMAZING)
  This new Detroit spot in a gorgeously renovated 20’s jazz club has the bartenders, the music and the atmosphere to match its fabulous decor.
  ***Incidentally, I found a bunch of great dates on their calendar for night’s out here – whether that ends up being date night for me and my man, or a group of us … stay tuned for emails from me suggesting a fun night here!
• D’Mongo’s Speakeasy – 1439 Griswold
  Opening only 1 night a week (Friday) and not advertising hasn't deterred the crowds from showing up. It feels like you're walking into an over-the-top jazz fan's living room that used to be a lunch counter.
• Foran’s Irish Pub – 612 Woodward (Mark and I have been here a few times, closed down for a bit and now it’s reopened – it’s awesome in here)
  In an atmospheric, century-old railroad ticket office, Foran's serves freshly-made sandwiches, salads and entrees using local ingredients and sports a host of Michigan-made draft beers as well as many hard-to-find bottled brands. They carry all the domestics and imports that are ubiquitous. The kitchen is open til midnight on weekends. Owners are always on site.
• Good Girls Go To Paris – 2 John R (seriously, go to the site and check out their menu … ummm, yum)
  The coolest new addition to downtown dining al fresco. Both sweet and savory crepes for any time of day - just walk up to the window and place your order with the girl in the adorable french server outfit. It will be made fresh just for you.
• Park Bar – 2040 Park
  An Inside Detroit favorite! As a new beer bar in the midst of martini lounges, the Park Bar has over 20 beers on tap and is already a neighborhood spot. The Bucharest Grill (located in the back) serves the best shwarmas late, late into the night.
• Pulse – 156 Monroe
  One of Detroit’s newer spots this simple yet sophisticated cocktail lounge has a great environment and an even better martini menu.
• Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine – 1250 Library (of course, we’ve all been talking about going to this one and the other Cuban place in AA, Tara and I almost went here after the Orbitsuns @ The Hoedown, but parking was crazy – Jeanette said we HAVE to go, that’s it’s amazing)
  With its authentic Cuban & Spanish cuisine, great entertainment and friendly atmosphere, Vicente’s mixes flavor, Flamenco and family to perfection.

These are the ones she didn’t get to talk to us about, but circled on the back of our sheet:

• Andrew’s On The Corner
• Jumbo’s
• Honest? John’s (I think this is the bar Angi & Tony started seeing other at after their shift at DRC?)
• L.J.’s Lounge
• Lager House
• Roma Cafe (went here once for a friend’s bday)
• Russell Street Deli
• Woodbridge Pub -- this is the newly renovated place on Trumbell (right off the 94 exit) that Mark has been talking about A LOT – he’s dying to go and it does look really nice, despite the surrounding area. And they have great drink specials. Can you say BOTTOMLESS mimosa’s on Sunday’s from 11 – 4 for $11? Yummy.
• Vivio’s (includes karaoke every Fri 7-11pm)

, o, as you can see, I’m very eager to start trying out these places and hopefully y’all might want to join in some times. Especially for you out-of-state folks … more fun when you come back home to Detroit! Cliff Bell’s and D’Mongo’s is top on our list to try out soon (and I found this olde tyme vaudeville/variety/circus/burlesque group that perform at both places called Torch With A Twist – FUN!)

Okay – this is a long email, thanks for bearing with me (if you got this far). I’m just proud of Detroit and even though we have a long way to go still and are facing even more difficult times with the current economy and automotive crisis, I think it’s more important than ever to frequent these places and to show our support for our beloved Detroit. And new places and new people are always a good time.
Time to turn in ... with love from the other D(earborn)