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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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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Zaccaro's Market Now Open in Brush Park

After hearing over two dozen people oooh and ahhh about the new Zaccaro's Market in Brush Park, I finally had a chance to check out Detroit's newest gourmet grocery store for myself a few weeks ago.

And gourmet it is.

Located at Woodward and Watson, in the bottom of the new Crystal Lofts, Zaccaro's is a fresh and airy specialty market featuring deli meats, cheeses, wine, prepared meals, seafood, spices, spreads, ethnic foods and more. As this Detroit News article states, the store also offers "an in-house bakery and pastry shop", as well as a coffee bar and a wine bar. In addition, Zaccaro's currently offers nine varieties of hot sandwiches/paninis ($7.95 each or $9.75 for the sandwich, chips and a drink) including 'The Green Acre' -- grilled eggplant, roasted peppers, artichoke spread, hummus and smoked mozzarella -- and 'The 313' -- corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese and 1000 Island on rye. There is also a small area at the back of the store featuring a table and chairs and a few arm chairs for you and a few friends to hang out if you so desire.

Though you will find some staples for your fridge and cupboards -- milk, yogurt, bread, fruit -- Zaccaro's prices are high and product selection is slim unless you're looking for artisan cheeses and gourmet coffee, so don't go giving up your regular grocery store just yet. (To give you an idea of pricing, a package of 6 Boca Burgers was $5.95; a pint of Soy Dream ice cream was $4.50; and the prepared lasagna bolognese my husband purchased was $8.95/pound.)

Zaccaro's reminded me a little bit of Trader Joe's -- I usually shop there for specialty foods like veggie burgers and Indian food -- with the nice part being that Zaccaro's is a lot closer to my house, and it is within city limits.

Bottom line: I am pleased that Detroiters have another food shopping option, and will definitely go back to Zaccaro's for health and ethnic food, and for items like artisan cheeses and pastries for entertaining.

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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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Studio One Apartments going up in Midtown

Finally -- Detroit is getting some new apartments.

One hundred and twenty-four new ones, to be exact.

Don't get me wrong; I'm thrilled with all the condo developments in the Motor City recently. But it's nice to have some diversity. And that's exactly what Studio One Apartments - the first market-rate, new construction apartment building in Detroit in 30 years - brings to the city.

Recently, Girl in the D spent some time with Marcel D. P. Burgler of Grand Rapids-based Prime Development, to discuss Studio One, which is currently under construction on Woodward Avenue between Canfield and Forest. Here's the low-down on the building going up at the site of the former Vernors bottling plant:

- Five-story building: Ground-floor retail and four stories of apartments;
- Apartments range from 650 to 1008 square feet;
- Rental prices from $870 to $1,395 per month;
- Units include individual furnace, air condititioner and washer and dryer;
- Six floor plans to choose from;
- All units include one or two balconies and 10-foot living room ceilings;
- Floor-to-ceiling windows in every unit;
- Kitchens with granite countertops;

Cool extras available to Studio One-dwellers include access to an on-site fitness center for $15 per month, preferred cable and high-speed Internet for $49 per month, and a $65 parking spot per car per month in the Wayne State University (WSU) parking structure that will connect to Studio One Apartments via a third-floor crosswalk.

Burgler points out that along with the amenities of the units and building, Studio One is in a prime Midtown location.

And he's right.

The building, which has already locked-in tenant Fifth/Third Bank, is across the street from MOCAD, a few blocks from the Detroit Artists Market, and within walking distance of Midtown's cultural heavy-hitters, which include the Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Public Library-Main Branch, Max M. Fisher Music Center, Detroit Historical Museum, Children's Museum, Detroit Science Center, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Scarab Club, and WSU's Bonstelle Theatre. The College for Creative Studies (CCS) is also nearby.

It's really city living," says Burgler, who notes that the building's commercial space will be completed in April 2008, while the apartments are slated for June 1, 2008.

Though Studio One is just steps from WSU's campus, Burgler wants prospective renters to know that Studio One is not student housing. What kind of people is Studio One attracting?

"So far, interest has come from a mix of young professionals, age 22 to 29, and empty-nesters," Burgler says. "Grad students, medical professionals from the DMC (Detroit Medical Center) and others."

Interested in finding out more about this $21 million apartment building? Stop into Studio One's sales center on Cass and Canfield between 10 am and 5 pm from Monday - Friday, or contact leasing manager-Billie Mason-Smith by email or at (313) 316-0824 to schedule a Saturday or Sunday appointment.


Studio One Apartments is part of WSU's $35 million South University Village. Phase One of the project includes the construction of Studio One Apartments and Wayne State’s 950-space parking deck. Phase Two could result in more apartments, or new condominiums, depending on the market conditions.

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Detroit Activities Abound on December 1

December kicks off with a bang in Detroit with several major holiday activities scheduled for the first day of the month.

Things get going on Saturday, December 1 at 10 am with Detroit Synergy Group’s fourth annual SHOP Detroit, a half-day shopping extravaganza in Detroit’s downtown and New Center areas.

Click here for more information on this fun holiday tradition.

Then from 2 to 6 pm, the West Canfield Historic District in Detroit will offer tours of three historic Detroit homes as part of its “A Victorian Christmas” celebration. Tickets, available for purchase at 674 West Canfield, are $15 for adults and $7 for children. As part of Noel Night festivities (see below), two of the homes will remain open until 8 pm and may be toured between 6 and 8 pm for $10.

The biggest event on December 1, however, is Midtown’s 35th annual Noel Night. Running from 5 to 9:30 pm, this beloved local tradition celebrates a variety of holiday traditions and includes activities for all ages.

Highlights of the evening include:

• Over 90 musical performances, including three-time Grammy winner-Tom Chapin and his daughters, Mosaic singers, Cass High School Marching Band and Thornetta Davis;
  
• Annual College for Creative Studies Student and Alumni Art Sale;
  
• Carriage rides and carolers;


• Food and yuletide treats;
  
• Community sing-along on Woodward Avenue;


• Free admission to Midtown museums like the new Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), the Detroit Science Center, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Charles Wright Museum of African American History;


• Annual Ice Scraper Challenge at the DIA Plaza;


• Living nativity scene at the Cathedral of Saint Paul;


• On a Clear Winter’s Night planetarium show at Wayne State University Old Main.

Noel Night shuttles run continuously during the event, transporting festival-goers between 28 participating institutions.

Points of note along the route include:

Bureau of Urban Living: From 5 - 7, author Linda McLean will sign copies of her new book, The Heidelberg Project: A Street of Dreams. Or, drop into this urban grocery store between 7 and 9 pm and meet Stephen McGee, an Emmy award-winning local photographer. A collection of McGee’s breathtaking Detroit photographs will be on display.

International Institute’s Hall of Nations: Stop into this spot on Kirby for continuous holiday ethnic folk music.

Detroit Public Library: Photos with Santa, children’s holiday ornament make-and-take, children’s film, DPL Friends Used Book Sale and various musical acts.

Scarab Club: 94th annual Scarab Club Gold Medal Exhibition, basement blowout sale, cash bar, jambalaya dinners by Union Street ($12), plus cake and coffee to celebrate The Scarab Club’s 100th anniversary.

Plymouth United Church of Christ: Children’s make-and-take crafts, children’s holiday gift shop, photos with Santa, face painting, storytelling, poetry reading, make your own s’mores, singing from various choirs.

Public parking for Noel Night is available for $5 at WSU Parking Structure #6; WSU Lots #3, #23, and #35; the Cultural Center Lot between John R. and Brush, north of Farnsworth; and at Plymouth United Church of Christ, located at Warren and St. Antoine.

Click here for directions to Noel Night and a printable map of the University Cultural Center area of Midtown where Noel Night is held. Please click here for a schedule of events.

Noel Night sponsors include Masco, Target, Metrotimes, WDET, 100.3 WNIC, GreatStuff, the Inn on Ferry Street, Inland Press, Starbucks, HOUR Detroit, Trent Design, Compuware and Commuter Express.

Please call (313) 577-5088 or visit midtowndetroit.com for more information.

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Movin' the D Forward: Round II

Back in July, I was part of a 2-hour panel program at Wayne State University called "Movin' the D Forward". It was a candid two-hour event about the 1967 uprising and its impact on under-40-year-olds in metro Detroit 40 years later.

Sponsored by Wayne State, WWJ, WDET, The Michigan Chronicle and The Detroit News, my five colleagues and I sat in front of a packed audience at the Spencer Patrich auditorium at WSU, talking about how the uprising has affected us and discussing strategies that would help our region move past the strong emotions related to this period of local history.

I mention this today because on Tuesday, December 4, Wayne State, WWJ, WDET, The Detroit News and the Michigan Chronicle are putting on another Movin' the D Forward event -- this time focused on No Child Left Behind (NCLB), a highly-controversial federal law related to educational legislation. It was passed in 2001 and signed into law in 2002.

What is NCLB? Wikipedia says the law "reauthorized a number of federal programs aiming to improve the performance of U.S. primary and secondary schools by increasing the standards of accountability for states, school districts and schools, as well as providing parents more flexibility in choosing which schools their children will attend."

Panelists for "Movin' the D Forward: No Child Left Behind" will discuss the creation of NCLB, the impact it has had on Detroit area schools, and give parents advice on helping to improve classrooms. Panelists include:

Casandra Ulbrich, Member, Michigan State Board of Education
Tonya Allen, Vice President, Programs, Skillman Foundation
Carlos Lopez, Ph.D., Deputy Superintendent, Oak Park Schools
Nathaniel Adams II, Assistant Superintendent, Detroit Public Schools
A representative from the Detroit Parent Network

If you're free next Tuesday from 9 to 11 am, I highly recommend attending this event. It will be a power-packed two hours, guaranteed. Admission is free, but advance registration is required. Register now and get free parking at Structure #1 (located across Palmer from the Law School). Continental breakfast will be served at 8:30.

The Spencer Patrich Auditorium is located at 471 West Palmer on Wayne State's campus in Midtown.

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