Stand Up for Kids at Eastern Market

Current statistics estimate that there are nearly one and a half million kids, teens and young adults living on the nation's streets. Hard to believe, especially in a country as wealthy and prosperous as America.

Luckily, there are organizations like StandUp For Kids (SUFK) Detroit, which assists local at-risk and homeless youth through on-the-streets efforts, as well as deterrence and resource programs in schools and online.

One of the cool things about SUFK Detroit is that it isn't just an organization with a cool mission statement; this 501(c)(3) organization is actually doing things in the community. In fact, SUFK Detroit's next event -- its inaugural Youth Summit/Street Fair -- is coming up in less than two weeks. 

Designed to raise awareness of various youth-oriented services and organizations, the outdoor event will be held from noon - 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 22 at Shed 5 in Eastern Market.

Attendees of this first-ever event can expect a wide range of activities, including:

On-stage entertainment including music acts, dance performances, and a fashion show;
Face painting, juggling, and tarot card reading;
Educational workshops, including CPR training and youth empowerment.

Food and beverages will also be offered.

This free, day-long event is a great way for kids of all ages to meet new people, hang out, and discover the numerous community programs and resources available to them.

Not familiar with StandUp for Kids? Founded in 1990, the not-for-profit, national organization is run entirely by volunteers. SUFK has offices in several states, including Michigan. For more information or volunteering opportunities near you, click here.

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Art-inspired activities dominate the weekend

Local weather forecasters are calling for record temperatures this weekend, but I'm sure that won't stop thousands of metro Detroiters from getting outside and enjoying some of the cool activities that will take place in the D this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

First up is the 22nd annual Detroit Festival of the Arts, the Motor City's free premier arts and entertainment extravaganza featuring world-renowned artists and performers. Located in the D's Midtown area, this annual outdoor fete will feature more than 100 international, regional and local artists, 10 stages with more than 100 performances, and an Arts and Crafts market. Organized by the UCCA and Wayne State University, the Detroit Festival of the Arts runs from June 6 - 8. Click here for a complete schedule of performances, directions, hours and more.

After you take in the art in Midtown, head over to Detroit's historic Pewabic Pottery for the organization's House & Garden Benefit Show. Celebrating its 18th year, this event will showcase the works of more than 70 ceramic artists. The annual fundraiser -- which is open to the public and runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8 -- will also feature exhibitions, museum tours and demonstrations. Pewabic is located at 10125 East Jefferson Avenue.

Also on the agenda this weekend is the Indian Village Historic Home and Garden Tour, which marks its 35th year anniversary on Saturday, June 7. Running from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., the tour will showcase a geenrous handful of IV's glorious homes, including the Dodge and Buhl Mansions, as well as a beautiful Queen Anne at 853 Iroquois and the restored beauty located at 776 Seminole. While you're toruing, be sure to check out the Art Lot, featuring the works of 20 Detroit artists, and the historic neighborhood's Community Garden. Tour tickets are $20 each and are available at Iroquois Avenue Christ Lutheran Church, the Waldorf School on Burns, and Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church.

For more art-inspired events this weekend in Detroit, visit thedetroiter.com's comprehensive and up-to-date arts calendar here.

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Wings Win It Again !

Congratulations to the Detroit Red Wings, who became the Stanley Cup Champions for the fourth time in 11 years last night with a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins!

Detroit's Mayor announced today that Hockeytown will celebrate the Wings' latest championship with a victory parade on Friday, June 6, in downtown Detroit. Route details have yet to be released, but we do know that the grand celebration is set to begin at 11 am. Check out the city of Detroit's website for more information as it becomes available.

Way to go, Wings!

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Red Bull Air Race comes to Detroit

The third stop of the Red Bull Air Race World Series is still two days away, but preparations for the international event -- which hits Detroit this weekend -- are well underway.

While dining at the Ren Cen last night, I noticed that the Wintergarten has been gussied-up with RB Air Race paraphernalia, and that numerous hospitality tents have been set up outside the building. This morning and afternoon, I had the pleasure of hearing and watching the planes take practice runs along the Detroit River.

New to Detroit, the international, two-day event features 12 race pilots, 12 planes and an aerial race track that requires impeccable precision and intense maneuvers at high speeds. The race in the Motor City will take place on the Detroit Riverfront between Rivard Plaza and Cobo Hall.

There will be two ticketed areas for the race along both the Detroit and Windsor riverfronts, but spectator tickets for the Detroit side of the race are already sold out. Spectator tickets in Windsor are still available (prices start at 10 CAD), as are tickets for the Detroit High Flyer's Lounge, which start at $600 each. To purchase tickets, click here. Andiamo Detroit Riverfront is also offering ticket packages -- which include a Riverfront seat of the races, parking, non-alcoholic beverages, continental breakfast, an Al Fresco lunch and a select dinner menu -- on one or both race days. These tickets range from $175 - $325 each and can be purchased by calling 313-567-6700.

The qualifying rounds of the Red Bull Air Race in Detroit take place on Saturday, May 31. The fastest 8 pilots advance to Race Day, which takes place on Sunday, June 1, and includes Point One (determines 9th to 12th place finishes), Super Eights (determines 5th to 8th place), Semi Finals, Third Place (determines 3rd and 4th place) and the Finals (determines the winner and runner-up). 
 

Detroit is only one of two cities in the U.S. to host a Red Bull Air Race in 2008 (San Diego is the other). 

For more information on the Red Bull Air Race World Series in Detroit, click here.

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Movement hits Detroit this weekend

Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching, and Detroiters know that means one thing: the Motor City's annual techno fest is upon us.

This week's edition of Filter D does a great job summarizing what's in store for attendees of Movement 2008 -- which is celebrating its ninth year, and will include performances by Carl Craig, Moby and more. Check it out here.

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Preservation Wayne to announce new name, initiatives at annual fundraiser

Thanks to my friend Brad, who is a board member of Preservation Wayne, for passing along information on the organization's yearly fundraiser, which hits the Detroit Boat Club on Thursday, May 22.

I already have plans that evening and won't be able to attend, but thought some of you might want to know the nitty-gritty on the non-profit's annual membership event.Here it is, courtesy of Brad and Preservation Wayne:

Come to Detroit's historic Detroit Boat Club for a very exciting event. Preservation Wayne is kicking off a new wave of programming and community involvement starting with the unveiling of a new name. Our name change will reflect an even greater level of activity focused on the core of our region. This new energy will benefit all; a strong Detroit is required for a strong Metro Detroit. To reach this goal, Preservation Wayne will provide an enhanced level of tools to an empowered group of volunteers that will make preservation relevant and vital in today's economy, promoting walkable vibrant urban neighborhoods that all can enjoy.

The evening will feature an introduction to all the ways you can become a part of the solution. Meet our new board members, learn about our new staff and the rolls they will play in the community, see for yourself the many volunteer opportunities that exist and maybe come up with a new idea for what you can do to help preserve and build up Detroit's urban experience.

Located at the entrance to Belle Isle, the current Detroit Boat Club was opened in 1902 and is home to the country's oldest rowing club. The social club left the building in 1996, but the Friends of Detroit Rowing have kept the building dry and secure, using it daily for training, practice and competition.

The event, which runs from 7 - 10 p.m. on May 22, will feature hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and a silent auction. Tickets are $35 for Preservation Wayne members and $45 for non-members, and may be purchased here. For pictures from the 2007 annual membership event, click here. Visit Preservation Wayne on the Web for more information.

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Great art, great prices

Looking to update your home's look for spring, or add something to those bare walls? Now is the perfect time to do it. The Student Exhibition at CCS is right around the corner, and it is a fantastic way to buy high-quality, original artwork and at lower prices than typical galleries.

Ashley Cook, "Thank You I Love You"

Running from May 16 - 30, this year's event will showcase more than 3,500 student works of art, ranging from ceramics, furniture and sculpture to jewelry, paintings and photography.

The 2008 exhibition begins with a special Collectors' Preview and Private Reception, which runs from 5:30 - 10 p.m on Friday, May 16. Tickets are $350 each and give attendees the opportunity to select and buy student artwork first. Ticket purchase also provides access to the exclusive Collectors’ Preview Private Reception.

If $350 is more than you'd like to spend on a ticket, but you'd still like to be among the first to see the artwork and make a purchase or two, consider purchasing a $50 ticket to the General Exhibition Opening and Sale, which runs on May 16 from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Lee Ann Foshee, "Latch Hook Lizzie", Fiber

If you want to attend but don't want to pay for a ticket, the Student Exhibition continues May 17 - 30 for public viewing and sales, and admission is free. Daily hours during this time period are as follows:

Saturday - Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Thursday and Friday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

CCS is a private four-year college offering 11 Bachelors of Fine Arts degrees in 11 majors, and Masters of Fine Arts degrees in 2 majors. The campus is located at 201 East Kirby in Midtown.

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MassiV Growth at CAID

Three years ago, the Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit (CAID) and its half dozen members moved into the art program's first home on Rosa Parks after 25 years of nomadic existence.

Now, just 3 years later, CAID is operating four venues throughout Detroit, and the organization has over 500 members.

Celebrate CAID's continued metamorphosis on May 10th, when the non-profit arts organization kicks off its 2008 exhibition season with shows at all four of its venues: the CAID; the Carriage House Gallery; Ladybug Gallery and Studios; and MassiV, the newest addition to the CAID family of galleries.

Opening Reception festivities are free and open to the public, and start at 6 p.m. on Saturday May 10th. CAID recommends parking at either CAID (5141 Rosa Parks Boulevard in Detroit) or MassiV, inside the Russell Industrial Center (1604 Clay Avenue in Detroit) and taking advantage of the free shuttle service to all four galleries.

Each of the galleries will offer a different perspective of CAID's exhibition and education vision and mission. Opening Night highlights of each gallery include:

CAID Main: the Eco Village Student Design Competition. Part of the city of Detroit's latest green initiative, this exhibition includes cutting edge solutions to vacant land usage courtesy of a faculty-led studio of architecture students from Lawrence Tech, University of Detroit Mercy and University of Michigan, who were charged with designing an eco-village on a five-acre site in Detroit's Woodbridge Neighborhood. Guests at CAID will also have the opportunity to attend the Sonic Lullaby 3.0 festival featuring live musical performances by Auburn Lull, Soundpool, Elika, Indian Guides, Crash City Saints, Sunlight Ascending, and Sey Lui. The performances begin at 9 p.m. Admission is to the music portion is $8, but is free to the exhibition.

Carriage House Gallery: the Harvest Gold Club: COLLECTING, CREATING and CLEARING OUT. A collaborative exhibition featuring the work of Madeleine Barkey, Jeanne Bieri, Teresa Petersen, the Harvest Gold Club depicts artwork within an environment that imitates a typical living room or clubhouse. The artists created the environment using material found on the curbside, including furniture, books, appliances, and knick-knacks. These cast-off items are sometimes antique, sometimes charming and sometimes utilitarian, but always worth more than their curbside appearance would indicate.

Ladybug Gallery and Studios: Curator's Choice exhibit. Featuring the work of more than a dozen artists, this exhibition includes paintings, sculpture, photography and video.

MassiV: Chido Johnson: Domestified angst – first recording. This major solo installation of new work by Chido Johnson -- a Zimbabwe-born artist who serves as the current chair of sculpture at the College for Creative Studies -- explores Johnson's personal state of cultural negotiations between Euro-American and South African cultures.

Can't make it to CAID's 2008 Exhibition Opening Night? No worries -- exhibitions at the four galleries run through August 10, 2008. For more information, please visit CAID on the Web.

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I scream, you scream ...

... we all scream for ice cream!

Loads of Detroiters will be doing just that this week when the Ben and Jerry's Partnershop in downtown Detroit hands out free 4 ounce cones as part of the ice cream chain's National Free Cone Day.

The free ice cream cones are available to anyone who enters the shop between noon and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29. The Partnershop is located at 1014 Woodward Avenue on the ground floor of the Compuware building.

Owned and operated by Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit, the Detroit Partnershop provides paid work experience for Southeast Michigan youth with barriers to employment, giving them an important opportunity to succeed. PartnerShop employees receive training in resume-building and personal skills development, helping them gain important skills to prepare for their future. For more information on this special shop, click here.

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BINZ Run coming up

I don't know about you, but the return of the sun this week makes me want to be outside from dawn until dusk.

A great way to get outside and enjoy the sun in southeast Michigan later this month is by participating in Detroit Synergy's Spring Into Nature 5k Run/Walk. Now in its third year, this annual event benefits the Belle Isle Nature Zoo, a special hands-on site on Belle Isle dedicated to teaching kids about nature.

Spring Into Nature 2008 costs $20 in advance, $25 on the day of the event. All registered participants receive a free t-shirt. Visit Great Lakes Champion Chip to register, or for more information, click here.

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Introduction to Detroit

Want to learn more about Detroit?

One of the best ways to do just that is through the Detroit Orientation Institute (DOI), a three-day program put on by Wayne State University.

Now in its 17th year, the DOI -- whose next session runs April 15, 22 and 29 -- offers a historical perspective and candid look at Detroit and metro Detroit. Think of it as a "Motor City-style boot camp", where you'll hear from community leaders, tour neighborhoods and visit landmarks. Participants will also receive a CD containing more than 200 pages of background information on Detroit and metro Detroit.

Who benefits most from DOI sessions? Definitely newcomers to the area, but anyone who wants to learn more about Motown and the metropolitan area is welcome and encouraged to sign up. Typically, business executives, professionals from nonprofits, university faculty, high school teachers, government administrators and journalists attend. The program is limited to 50 participants per session and is offered once in the fall and once in the spring.

Meals and transportation are provided for a tuition cost of $900 per person. Registration is accepted by phone or fax. Registration forms are available here.

For more on the DOI, check out Clare Ramsey's great Model D feature article on the subject here.

Happy learning!

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Entrepreneur lecture series

Entreprenuers, take note: the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit is hosting a free entrepreneurial lecture series this spring.

Sponsored by the Chrysler Minority Dealers Association, the free lectures are scheduled for the fourth Thursday of the month in March, April and May.

Guest speakers include Ken Carter, the inspiration behind the movie "Coach Carter", on March 27; Michele Hoskins, owner of Michele Foods Inc., on April 24; and Dr. Farrah Gray, money coach and best-selling author, on May 22.

Located at 315 East Warren Avenue in the heart of Midtown, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is open Wednesday and Thursday, 9:30 – 3:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9:30 – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Admission is $8.00 for adults (ages 13-61) $5.00 for seniors (ages 62+) and $5.00 for children (ages 3-12). Museum members and children under three are admitted free. Every first Sunday of the month through October 5, 2008 are Free First Sundays at the museum, sponsored by Target. There is no charge for admission on Free First Sundays.

For more information, visit the museum's Webpage here.

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March Madness comes to Ford Field

In just 8 days, March Madness hits Ford Field in downtown Detroit!

Beginning Friday, March 28, four of the 16 remaining NCAA teams will compete for a chance to win the Regional Competition - and you have a chance to be there when it happens. The schools selected to the Midwest Region in seed order are: Kansas University, Georgetown, Wisconsin, Vanderbilt, Clemson, USC, Gonzaga, UNLV, Kent State, Davidson, Kansas State, Villanova, Siena, Cal State at Fullerton, University of Maryland Baltimore College (UMBC) and Portland State.

If you live in or near Detroit, you have it easy: just purchase your tickets and head to Ford Field for the games. It isn't hard for non-Michiganders to root for their teams, either; students from 11 of the 16 schools playing in the Regional are within a 13-hour drive of Detroit. Wisconsin, Georgetown, and UMBC are an 8 hour drive away, and Kent State fans can reach the area in a short three hour trip.

Although the Midwest regional at Ford Field has already established an attendance record by selling 50,000 tickets, you can still get tickets to the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games in Detroit.

Available online or by calling Ticketmaster at 248.645.6666, tickets -- which cost $45, $75, $100 and $150 -- include admission to two Friday games and one Sunday game. Fans also have the opportunity to see the Regional teams in action during open practices on Thursday, March 27 from 12–4pm at Ford Field.

Home of the Detroit Lions, Ford Field is a state-of-the-art sport and entertainment venue. Since opening in 2002, it has hosted over 4,000 events and welcomed over 5 million fans. In addition to the NCAA Midwest Regional this year, Ford Field will play host to the 2009 Men’s Final Four Tournament and the 2010 Men’s Hockey Frozen Four Tournament. Please visit Ford Field on the Web for more information.

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Get to know Southwest Detroit

As Detroit's fastest-growing neighborhood, southwest Detroit is a colorful community that you should definitely make a point to visit if you haven't already.

You have the opportunity to do just that and learn about the community on Thursday, March 20, when Southwest Solutions (SWSOL) hosts the March edition of its 'Be a Part of the Solution' bus tour.

Running from 6-7:15 pm, the tour is your free chance to get to know southwest Detroit a little better, and to hear some of the great things SWSOL has done to improve the community. What can you expect on the tour? John Van Camp, president and CEO of SWSOL, will talk about the organization's mission and the transformation of southwest Detroit, and you will meet several southwest Detroiters, who will share their personal stories of triumph. You will also have the opportunity to view some of SWSOL's program sites.

After the tour, make sure to stick around the neighborhood and enjoy authentic fare from one of Mexicantown's amazing restaurants (there are several outstanding places -- to narrow your choices, ask SWSOL staff members for their recommendations).

Having attended a similar SWSOL tour back in September, I can attest that this brief program is a few hours very well spent. The organization is doing amazing things in southwest Detroit -- it has been for over 30 years -- and John Van Camp is one of the most passionate people I have ever met. (He was so motivating that, after hearing him speak on the bus, I wondered if I should pay him for inspiring me so much!)

You don't have to be a Detroit resident to attend, either; if you have a desire to visit southwest Detroit and learn how it is becoming a stronger, healthier community, you're encouraged to particpate in the tour.

Sound like something you'd be interested in? RSVP to Bob O'Brien, Vice President of Development for SWSOL, at (313) 849-4902, extension 1, or by email. You must sign up for the bus tour by March 18 to attend.

More about SWSOL
Incorporated in 1972, SWSOL is a non-profit organization that seeks to improve southwest Detroit through a variety of services including mental health, family literacy and housing and economic development. In the past decade, SWSOL has invested more than $10 milion in the community. Its foreclosure and home counseling program has also earned it local and national recognition. And, in 2005, SWSOL garnered the Best Managed Non-Profit award by Crain's Detroit Business. For more information, please visit SWSOL on the Web.

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Arts & Scraps fundraiser: recycling for Detroit kids

This Saturday, March 8, Arts & Scraps is holding its annual fundraiser. For $40 per couple, enjoy a strolling dinner, a tour of the NextEnergy green facility and alternative fuel lab, and Dragonmead beer samples. Plus, try your hand at several games, including bingo, roulette, craps, poker and blackjack.

The fun begins at 6:30 pm at NextEnergy, a Detroit non-profit dedicated to advancing the Alternative Energy Technology industry in Michigan. For more information on the Arts & Scraps annual fundraiser, contact Suzanne Janik.
Not familiar with Arts & Scraps? A non-profit organization based in Detroit, Arts & Scraps recycles 22 tons of industrial scraps into creative, fun materials for over 200,000 children in Detroit. The Arts & Scraps facility is open to the public Tuesday and Thursday from 11-6 and Saturday from 11-4. Stuff a grocery bag or choose from items in the single price area. Staff is available for help with project ideas. Arts & Scraps is also a great place for birthday parties. For more information, visit Arts & Scraps on the Web.

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Upcoming: Pistons Telethon

For the first time in Detroit sports history, a team will devote an entire day, including their game and their broadcast, to a telethon to raise money for charity.

On Friday, March 14, as part of the Detroit Pistons' season-long celebration of 50 years in Michigan, the organization will host the Pistons Cares Telethon Benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan. The team asks everyone in the community to help them reach their goal of granting wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

The telethon will run throughout the day and into the evening as the Pistons host the defending NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs at 8 pm.

The entire telecast of the game will be devoted to the telethon. Throughout the night, representatives from the Pistons community will ask fans to call and pledge. Sponsors will present their donations and the Pistons will introduce stories of past and present Make-A-Wish kids.

All donations taken -- online, over the phone, through pre-telethon programs and in-arena the night of March 14 -- will place each donor into a drawing for unique, one-of-a kind prizes from the Detroit Pistons, including the grand prize of a road trip with the team on Roundball One.

For more information about the Pistons Cares Telethon Benefiting Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan, please contact Dennis Sampier, Director of Community Relations, at (248) 371-2034 or visit www.pistons.com.

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Leap Day = Heart Health Fair

Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States, so it's never too early to learn the signs and symptoms of this terrible disease, and to get your heart checked.

If you live in Southeast Michigan, you're in luck: the Sister to Sister National Women's Heart Health Fair is being held tomorrow, February 29, at the Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit.

A free, informative, and engaging event for women, the Sister to Sister Heart Health Fair features lifestyle presentations, cutting-edge information on medical issues and complimentary heart-health screenings. In addition, participants of this special one-day event will have the opportunity to talk with medical, lifestyle, nutrition and fitness experts, experience cooking and fitness demonstrations, learn stress-reduction techniques, and enjoy vendors, raffles, and giveaways.

Sponsored locally by GM, the Detroit Medical Center, National City, Compuware and Humana, this heart healthy event runs from 8:30 - 6 pm in the GM Wintergarten inside the Renaissance Center.

Since its founding in 2000, Sister to Sister has impacted the lives of thousands of women by providing life-saving screenings and educational resources.

To date, the non-profit has screened more than 50,000 women for heart disease risk factors and accomplished the following:

• 80% of women screened at our fairs have recognized for the first time that they are at risk for heart disease;


• More than 50% of the women screened have learned that they have two or more risk factors for heart disease;


• Nearly 75% of the women found to be at risk reported seeing their doctor as a follow-up to the screening;


• Women found to be at high risk for heart attack have been sent directly to the hospital for life-saving treatments.

For more information on Sister to Sister, click here.

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Detroit: It's Worth It Exhibit

A few weeks ago, I posted on Detroit Synergy Group's (DSG) newest project, Detroit: It's Worth It. The photos are in, so I wanted to do a quick follow-up and announce the details of the exhibition.

More than 120 photographs will make up the program, which takes place at the Lofts of Merchants Row (in the former Mark England de Mode space) from 6-10 pm on Friday, February 29.

Photographs were solicited from the public in January. The only condition was that submitted images show the beauty and singularity of Detroit.

"Watching the photos come in, it's been fascinating to see what it is that makes Detroit worth it to people," said Christi Carpenter, project lead.

"We received stunning shots of local landmarks, but also intimate images that show personal connections to the city. The beauty and variety of the photos reveals a city that rewards exploration rather than a judgment based on initial impressions."

All are invited to Detroit: It's Worth It. The one-night-only program opens at 6, with live music and refreshments beginning at 8. Visit DSG on the Web for more information.

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Winter Blast hits the D this weekend

It's cold in Michigan, and there's no denying or escaping it. So why not embrace it?

Do just that this weekend at Winter Blast, Downtown Detroit's free, three-day winter festival.

With the usual hip, cool activities (free ice skating, a 200-foot snow slide, dog sledding and snowboarding exhibitions and more) around Campus Martius Park, this year's Winter Blast will also feature:

• Seventy-five entertainment acts on three stages;

• Taste of the D: a mini-taste festival with 20 Detroit restaurants like Opus One and Sizz'l-n-Spice;
  

• Dine in the D: a discount dining program that will help you save 15-25% off your bill at 60 Detroit restaurants all weekend. Click here for the mandatory discount coupon and a list of participating restaurants.
  

• Spend the Night in the City, featuring special hotel rates at downtown's MGM Grand Detroit, Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, Holiday Inn Express on Washington Boulevard and the Hilton Garden Inn in Harmonie Park.
  
  
• Cultural-venue discounts: in honor of Winter Blast, places like the Charles Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit Historical Museum, New Detroit Science Center and Hilberry Theatre are offering discounts off of regular admission prices, and in some cases, two-for-one admission. The Fox Theatre is also offering discounts on Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music tickets for performances held during Blast weekend.
  

• "Discover Detroit" tour: a free, hour-and-fifteen-minute tour to help you get to know Detroit and the recent developments that are making our city a better place. Meet in the Compuware lobby at 3pm on February 9 and 10 for this unique tour by local non-profit Inside Detroit.
  
  
• Winter Blast Film Festival: new this year, celebrate Michigan filmmakers and films about Michigan at this free event, located in a heated tent at Campus Martius Park. Click here for film summaries, and a complete list of scheduled films and times.
  


• Wine Tasting and After Party: enjoy specialty wine flights from South America, Italy and Australia at the First National Building's newest tenant, wine bar-Enoteca.
  

Besides all of that, don't miss the specially-lit, themed ice sculptures in the Quicken Loans Ice Garden or the marshmallow-roasting stations located just north of The Rink.

Not a fan of the cold? Luckily, there are plenty of places to warm-up at the festival, thanks to DTE Energy’s Comfort Zones. You’ll find heat every 150 feet on the Winter Blast site.

More than 450,000 guests are expected to attend the 2008 festival, which runs from Friday, February 8 to Sunday, February 10. For a complete schedule and listing of events, click here.

Head to Detroit and celebrate winter in Detroit with fun events and attractions!

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Detroit Auto Show Continues

If you're like me, you've been waiting for the crowds at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) to die down a bit before venturing over to Cobo Hall to check things out.

I tend to stray from the norm sometimes (okay, a lot of the time) but I can't help that I would rather wait for the masses to flock in and out so that when I arrive, I have some breathing room.

But my lack of large-crowd-love is beside the point. The important thing is that NAIAS is coming to a close this weekend, but there's still time for you to check out Detroit's biggest event of the year.

Plan to attend? Here are the basics:

• Dates/Times: On Friday and Saturday, the show runs from 9 am - 10 pm (no admittance after 9). On Sunday, the show runs from 9 am to 7 pm (no admittance after 6).


• Tickets: Ticket prices are as follows: Adults - $12. Senior citizens and children 7 - 12: $6. Children under 6: free. Tickets may be purchased at the event, through Ticketmaster, or you may purchase e-tickets here.


• Parking: Take a cue from the helpful people at NAIAS and consider where you'll park before you even head out for the show. NAIAS recommends online parking system-Click and Park, which allows you to purchase a parking space in advance. If you don't want to do that, park near one of the 13 Detroit People Mover (DPM) stations and ride Detroit's monorail to Cobo Hall. If you're unfamiliar with the city, the covered structure right next to the Renaissance Center is a great bet. Park (or valet at the RenCen) and grab the DPM on Level 2 of Tower 200.
  


• Driving: If you'd rather leave the driving to someone else, take advantage of the luxury motor coaches traveling between Dearborn's Henry Ford Museum and the Detroit Zoo and Cobo Hall on Saturday, January 26 and Sunday, January 28. The trip is a mere $10 - $5 for parking and $5 for the ride. Children 12 and under travel free.

For photos, videos, top 10 lists and more of what's hot at this year's show, check out continuing auto show coverage from the Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, Mlive.com or MSN Autos.

Detroit held its first auto show in 1907. The 2008 show, renamed the North American International Auto Show in 1989, is the 20th international show.

The NAIAS is the only auto show in the United States to earn an annual distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA), a Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world. For more on the global auto show circuit, visit OICA on the Web.

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