Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn is hosting a National Day of Courage in honor of Rosa Parks' 100th birthday on February 4, 2013. Besides special programs and free admission on that day, they're encouraging people to take a stand. Stand up and show your courage by making your own badge and wear it and share it on the National Day of Courage.

Get out there and enjoy all the fun things to do in Detroit!

Weekend Roundup

1. 2013 Academy Award Nominated Short Films - The nominated animated and live-action shorts will be screened at the Detroit Film Theatre. February 1—17.

2. African American History Day - The Detroit Historical Museum offers free admission and special programs to kick off Black History Month. February 2nd.

3. Lilacpop Studio Grand Opening - This unique space in Ferndale combines art, jewelry and clothing design, photography and classes. Check out the cool classes offered at the opening! February 2nd.

4. Cass City Cinema presents "Argo" - See this Oscar-nominated film at the Burton Theater in Midtown for only $5. February 1st & 3rd.

5. LEGO® Architecture: Towering Ambition - A LEGO® Certified Professional (who knew those existed?) has re-created 13 famous structures including Fallingwater, the John Hancock Center and the Empire State Building. Through February 24, 2013.

Bonus: National Day of Courage - Rosa Parks’ 100th Birthday Celebration with free admission at The Henry Ford on February 4th.

Double Bonus: 2013 Shiver on the River (Facebook link)

Do you know of a great event going on in Metro Detroit this weekend? Add it to the comments and share it with us!

Sip Michigan wines at new tasting room in Metro Detroit

Do you love wine and the state of Michigan? You’re in luck! The Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room, featuring wine from six Michigan wineries, opened last month in metro Detroit. The tasting room offers wine flights and nibbles of cheese and chocolate. They also sell the wine they serve by the bottle and case and host special events.

Owners Shannon and Cortney Casey, the husband and wife team of passionate grape nuts, began promoting the Michigan wine industry through their website MichiganByTheBottle.com in 2009. 

“During our travels to create content for MichiganByTheBottle.com, people would constantly say, "Wow, I wish I had your job!" And we would say, "This isn't our -real- job — this is our fun job." After awhile, we'd fallen so completely in love with the industry that we started discussing how we could take it to the next level and make it a real job,” said Cortney.

The reality from website to the brick-and-mortar tasting room in Shelby Township took about a year. Inspired by a friend who opened a similar concept in Washington state, they felt it was a great fit for Michigan. Cortney explains, “We partnered with these six wineries in particular for a few reasons. We were looking to have representation from every major Michigan wine trail. We were looking for partner wineries with limited or self-distribution who were interested in introducing their wine to the Metro Detroit market in a tasting room setting versus just being shoved on a supermarket shelf.”

Their partner wineries are Chateau Aeronautique, Chateau de Leelanau, Domaine Berrien Cellars, Gill's Pier Vineyard & Winery, Peninsula Cellars and Sandhill Crane Vineyards which all use estate-grown and/or locally sourced grapes.

To be clear, this isn’t a wine bar. This is a tasting room just as you would find at the wineries. The added bonus is that you can taste wine from 6 different vintners instead of just one.

Having traveled to wine festivals in Michigan myself—on super official Detroit Moxie business, of course—I’ve run into the Caseys on the trail. Stopping in the tasting room on their media preview night, however, was the first time I was able to sit down with them and really chat. Their knowledge and enthusiasm for Michigan wine is infectious. Shannon helped us navigate through the different wines and he made some excellent suggestions. Together, they make wine fun and accessible.

The Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room is a perfect spot for girls night out or a date night. And, the flights are just $10 or less so it won't break the bank. Special events such as winemaker meet-and-greets, yoga classes, art exhibits and interactive art sessions make for a fun night out where you can learn—or de-stress—while sipping the vino.

Next time you’re looking for something different to do in metro Detroit, stop by the tasting room and expand your local wine knowledge.

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

Yes, it's cold. It's also Detroit in January. Get out there and enjoy all the fun things to do in Detroit.

Weekend Roundup

1. 2013 Arab Film Festival - Head to the Arab American National Museum for screenings of comedies, dramas, documentaries and more from the Arab world. January 24—26.

2. Fire & Ice Festival - Downtown Rochester is the place to be for winter fun this weekend! Activities include tube sledding, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, ice sculptures and ice skating. January 25—27.

3. Ferndale Blues & Music Festival - This nine day festival features over 60 concerts at 24 venues throughout Ferndale. January 25th through February 2nd.

4. Popovich Comedy Pet Theater - As seen on late night TV, this unique family-friendly show stars 15 cats and 10 dogs that were once strays. January 26th.

5. Winter Beer Fest - Over 100 craft beers from around the world will be on hand for sampling at the Royal Oak Music Theatre. Plus food & entertainment. January 26th.

Bonus: North American International Auto Show

Double Bonus: Auto Show Bus & Brewery Tour

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

All eyes are on Detroit as the North American International Auto Show kicks into gear. The show opens to the public this Saturday. Besides the gorgeous cars and new technology, Cobo Center has a beautiful new atrium that opens up to the Detroit River.

Get out there and enjoy Detroit and the auto show!

Weekend Roundup

1. Kiva SOUP (Facebook link) - Kiva Detroit and Detroit Soup are joining forces to give social entrepreneurs a chance at their micro grant. For $5, you get dinner and a vote! January 17th.

2. Puppetslam Detroit - Puppeteer Kathleen Kennedy Tobin and her company recreate The Storming of The Winter Palace in miniature form at the DIA. January 18th.

3. North American International Auto Show - Although there have been events happening all week, the Detroit Auto Show opens to the public this Saturday. Check out the new models and concept cars in the newly renovated Cobo Center. January 19—26.

4. 2013 Plymouth Ice Festival - Head to quaint downtown Plymouth for a celebration of all things winter. Enjoy ice sculptures, ice skating, a rail jam, entertainment, food and more! January 18th—20.

5. Auto Show Bus Tour - Motor City Brew Tours and Show Me Detroit Tours team up for an automotive history tour and a brewery tour. January 19 & January 26.

Bonus: Third Thursdays at Nora

Double Bonus: Free admission at The Henry Ford on January 21st for Target Family Days

Do you know of a great event going on in Metro Detroit this weekend? Add it to the comments and share it with us!

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

You don’t have to hibernate in winter—there are plenty of fun things to do in Detroit. Bundle up and get out there and enjoy Detroit!

Oh, and hockey. Looks like we’ll have a (shortened) season after all.

Weekend Roundup

1. Free Art Friday Detroit (Facebook link) - Every Friday local artists hide art around the city for lucky "scavengers" to find and keep. This week they go global with art from around the country and world. Follow their Facebook page and the #FAFDET hashtag on Twitter for clues. Go find art! January 11th.

2. Grown in Detroit - Head to the Detroit Historical Museum to see this documentary about the Catherine Ferguson Academy, one of only 3 schools in U.S. for pregnant and parenting teens. January 12—13.

3. Wild Winter Arctic Adventure - The Detroit Zoo is open year-round and is magical in the winter. Activities this weekend include ice carving demonstrations, arctic-themed arts and crafts, games and entertainment. January 12—13.

4. Metro Jazz Voices - The Sunday Music Bar at the DIA features this Detroit group perfoming selections of the Great American Songbook in four-part harmony. January 13th.

5. Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History - It's Charter One Free Family Second Sunday at the museum and admission is free. Special showings of the Voices of the Civil War film series & more. January 13th.

Bonus: Michigan Science Center

Do you know of a great event going on in Metro Detroit this weekend? Add it to the comments and share it with us!