Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

I looked out of my office windows this afternoon and thought I was in a snow globe. Winter has finally arrived in Michigan. Tomorrow, or the next day, I’ll be putting a bathing suit on my lily-white body and splashing in water. No, I’m not going to a secluded desert island—I’m not even going to warm locale! But more on that in the next week or so.

For now, check out all the fun things to do in Detroit this weekend and have a great time!

Weekend Roundup

1. Plymouth Ice Festival - Head to charming Plymouth for the largest free ice sculpture display in the U.S. Entertainment, family fun, street merchants and I heard Super Grover will be there! Ice sculptures can be viewed 24 hours a day. January 20—22.

2. The Hungry Dudes Happy Hour (Facebook link) - Join the fabulous Hungry Dudes at The Rattlesnake for happy hour specials and an acoustic set by Detroit's own The Sights. January 20th.

3. Detroit Revealed on Film: plant (3D) - The Detroit Film Theatre is screening this three-dimensional investigation of Detroit's abandoned Packard auto plant by digital artist Paul Kaiser. January 20th through February 5th.

4. North American International Auto Show - If you haven't checked out the Detroit auto show yet—get moving—it closes this weekend! Friday, January 20th is Channel 7 Family Day and Radio Disney AM 910 and shopautoweek.com will be there with games, crafts and prizes! Through January 22nd.

5. Forbidden Planet - Catch this classic science-fiction film, which is a retelling of Shakespeare's "The Tempest", on the beautiful big screen at the Redford Theatre. January 20—21.

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

Disclaimer: I work for shopautoweek.com.

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

We ARE the Motor City and that is never more apparent than when the auto show arrives in Detroit. The city becomes almost as electric as it does when a major sporting event is in town.

Whether you’re a gearhead who likes to talk torque and horsepower or a consumer looking for your next family car, the auto show is filled with information, booth babes, futuristic concepts and the hottest new cars on the market.

Below are a few photos that I snapped this week at the auto show but cars aren’t the only show in town this weekend, check the Weekend Roundup for cool things to do in Detroit.

Weekend Roundup

1. North American International Auto Show - Yes, it's more commonly known around these parts as the Detroit Auto Show and if you didn't know it was going on right now you might be living under a rock. Check out the newest production models and state-of-the-art concept cars. January 14—22.

2. Take Shelter at the Cass City Cinema - This award-winning film only had a limited release on the coasts. Now you can see it in an old Detroit Public School auditorium. January 12—15.

3. No Object is an Island: New Dialogues with the Cranbrook Collection - Cranbrook Art Museum has reopened after an expansion and renovation. This exhibit pairs the work of contemporary artists with objects from their permanent collection of the 20th and 21st-century art and design. Through March 25, 2012.

4. Burying the Bones - A Michigan premiere at the Detroit Repertory Theatre, this play is ghost story, of sorts. Through March 18, 2012.

5. Ferdale Soup (Facebook link) - Soup and microgrants go hand-in-hand, right? The popular Detroit Soup inspired this spinoff where the community comes together over soup and individuals or groups propose their projects. The winner of the vote gets the pot (the $5 entry fee per person) to put their idea into action. January 15th.

Bonus: Ultimate Fishing Show

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

Do you want to know what’s going on in Detroit this weekend? The Detroit Lions are playing a football game! Yes, for the first time in 12 years our Lions are in the playoffs. Kickoff: Saturday, January 7^th at 8:00 p.m. in New Orleans.

Weekend Roundup

1. Detroit Toy Stories - Toys, games and dolls will bring back childhood memories and create new ones for the little kids. Including Etch A Sketch, Operation, Tinker Toys and Slinky! Ongoing.

2. Detroit Derby Girls - Catch a roller derby bout between the D-Funk Allstars and the Devil's Night Dames at the Masonic Temple. January 7th.

3. Chi-Town Union Station - With more than 8,000 feet of track, they house the world's largest O-Scale model railroad AND have the world's longest model train. Weekends through March.

4. Ford Free Sunday at the DIA - Check out the general collection, a family performance of Peter Rabbit, the Detroit Revealed photography exhibit and more! January 8th

5. Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History - Enjoy the Charter One Free Family Second Sunday at the world's largest institution dedicated to the African American experience. January 8th.

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

Photo credit: Maia C

The Return of the Belle Isle Ice Tree: It's back for 2012!

The Belle Isle Ice Tree on December 30, 2011. If you look closely at the top of the tree, you can see the water spraying.After a disappointing year without the Belle Isle Ice Tree, I can confirm that it’s back for 2012. A few quick drive-bys on Detroit’s island park last week show that the trees are stacked but more importantly—the water is on! Last year, the trees were stacked but the water was never turned on.

Now, we just have to wait and see if Mother Nature will cooperate this year. The first year that I saw the Ice Tree was in 2009 and the chilly weather and precipitation made it absolutely stunning. In 2010, the tree was big and beautiful but just not as monstrous, charming or animated as it was the previous year. And, of course, 2011 will go down as the Year without the Belle Isle Ice Tree.

I hate to wish for freezing cold temperatures and snow but we do live in Michigan and these things will happen, whether I wish for them or not. So, come on Mother Nature—do your thing!

Yes, my love for the Belle Isle Ice Tree is borderline obsessive—just search for it in the sidebar if you don't believe me—but it's unique and everyone should see it in person.

It’s going to take at least a few weeks, possibly a month or more, for it to be in all its glory. If you do head out there, be careful! The ice on the ground around the tree can be treacherous. Wear boots, ice cleats or crampons if you want to get up close and personal with Detroit’s favorite tree.

I’ll be checking on the progress of the Ice Tree throughout the winter and will post updates. Feel free to post your photos on the Detroit Moxie Facebook page.

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup—New Year's Eve Edition

New Year’s Eve is upon us in Detroit and everyone is getting ready to countdown to 2012. It’s that time when we look back at the best and worst of the previous year while setting goals for the next twelve months.

I’d like to dream about what might happen in 2012 but you never know where life is going to take you. I could have never—in a million years—imagined the path that 2011 has led me down.

For now, I’ll say that we have plans to FINALLY get back to England for a vacation. It’s been over three years since we’ve seen our friends and family across the pond. Beyond that, I’ll set my goals and work as hard as ever but who knows where this crazy train that we call life might take us.

So, back to the task at hand. There are tons of fantastic events going on in Detroit this weekend. Get out and ring in the New Year, Detroit-style!

Weekend Roundup

1. 2011 Great Lakes Invitational - Get your skates on mate, it's time for college hockey in the D! Be sure to check out the "Science of Hockey" event by Michigan Tech where you can walk on water and measure the speed of your slap-shot. December 29—30.

2. Mittenfest VI - Are you ready for some music? Head to Ypsilanti to see 60 bands over 5 days while raising money for 826michigan. December 28—January 1.

3. Spike & Mike's Sick & Twisted Animation Festival - Yep, it's time for some adult animation. This festival is where Beavis and Butthead and South Park were born. Not for the easily offended! December 28th & Deceber 30th.

4. Friday Night Live! at the DIA - Closing out the 2011 events is Planet D Nonet performing a Sun Ra tribute. Deceber 30th.

5. New Year's Eve Lock-In - Take the kids to Modern Skate & Surf and let them spend the night! Skaters 16 and under will enjoy pizza, contests and all night skating. December 31.

6. Motor City Funk Night NYE - Usher in the new year with three floors of funk led by Will Sessions and the Nick Speed Orchestra. December 31.

7. New Year's Allstar Showdown - Laugh your way to midnight at Ferndale's Go Comedy! Two shows plus an after party. December 31st.

8. Motor City New Year's Eve: The Drop - Detroit's own version of the ball drop is now in its second year. The Compuware atrium and Campus Martius will countdown Detroit style. December 31.

Bonus: The Detroit Historical Museum is free through December 31st.

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

Photo credit: steveburt1947