Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

As if on cue, Mother Nature has dusted Detroit with a magical layer of snow to usher in December and the holiday season. Enjoy it while it’s still fun and take advantage of all the fantabulous events happening in Detroit.

This is from last winter in Detroit.

Weekend Roundup

1. Detroit Urban Craft Fair - The Fillmore plays host to this alternative craft fair featuring over 65 independent, DIY artists and crafters. Get creative this holiday season! December 4-5.

2. Detroit Soup - Soup warms the soul but it's also good for the community. Join this collaborative dinner and cast your vote on which creative project to fund. December 5th.

3. Noel Night - Midtown will shine this Saturday as over 60 venues open their doors free of charge, including the DIA, the Detroit Science Center, and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Plus music, shopping, and a sing-along! December 4th.

4. Pop Up Detroit (Facebook link) - Young artists from Detroit and Windsor are making use of a vacant space to showcase their work. December 4th.

5. Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade - "Candy lane on Main" features floats, marching bands, drill teams, dogs, & horse drawn carriages. December 5th.

6. The Potters Market - Clay lovers rejoice! The largest pottery sale of its kind in the country is in Madison Heights this weekend. December 3-5.

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

Up close (but not personal) with Kid Rock

Last week, I had the opportunity to watch Kid Rock rehearse his halftime show for the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving day game. The United Way for Southeastern Michigan put together this VIP party for their super volunteers and advocates to say thank you.

There was anticipation that we would actually get to meet the Kid and have an informal chat with him. That didn’t happen but we did get a photo op and I snapped some pictures of him, which is pretty cool in my book.

Yeah, I was kind of bummed I didn’t get to chat with Kid Rock. I’d love to sit down with him for 5 or 10 minutes! But I guess a lot of people would like that opportunity too.

Here are a few of my photos; some of them have already been posted to the Detroit Moxie Facebook page.

Holiday lights sparkle around Detroit

Holiday lights are beginning to twinkle all over metro Detroit and, I’ve got to say, it makes me happy. Downtown areas and city streets are a bit more magical when they get dressed up for the season.

Some of the holiday light displays are simple and dazzling while others are outrageous and over the top. Either way, they serve only one purpose, to put kids and kids at heart in the holiday spirit.

Grab your friends & family, suppress your inner Scrooge, and cruise the streets to find the bright and festive lights.

Here are a few of the biggest holiday light displays around Detroit: 

Wayne County Lightfest

The Big, Bright Light Show

The Shriners Festival of Lights

Livonia Lights Christmas Display

The photos below are from The Big, Bright Light Show in Rochester in 2009.

Does your neighborhood or city go all out for the holiday season? I’d love to hear about other light displays in metro Detroit.

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

The turkey has been consumed, the Detroit Lions lost, Kid Rock represented Detroit at the halftime show, and the brave were out shopping at stupid o’clock in the morning.

The holiday season is upon us and there are a gazillion great events going on in Detroit. Get out there and enjoy the city!

Weekend Roundup

1. A Day in Paradeland - Get a peek inside The Parade Company studios and see the floats up close. The Cat in the Hat, Bert & Ernie, and Santa will be making an appearance! November 27th.

2. Cars, Trees and Traditions - Decorated Christmas trees are paired with Chrysler vehicles in this annual exhibit. Advertisements, historic photos of Detroit, and vintage model trains too. Through December 30th.

3. The Nutcracker - This classic is sure to put you in the holiday spirit complete with toy soldiers and sugar plum fairies. The family matinees include live reindeer, a Sugar Plum Parade, and Santa! November 26-28.

4. Detroit Be Dammed: A Beaver's Tale! - Planet Ant Theatre presents this multi-media show about one of Detroit's lesser known families featuring music, video, and animation. Through December 18th. (Check out the video trailer, possibly NSFW.)

5. Alto Reed's AllStar Thanksgiving Celebration - Alto Reed, Bob Seger's SaxMan, heads the lineup with special guests Mitch Ryder, Martha Reeves, and Jeff Daniels. This "Rock for Jobs" concert will support Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit. November 26th.

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

Oh Romeo, Kid Rock loves Detroit

Kid Rock, with his hat pulled down over his ears, sat on a simple stool at the American Music Awards and sang a love letter to Detroit with his song “Times Like These.” The song talks about our struggles and our dedication to this city.

Kid Rock talks about his new album, Born Free, on his website:

“The catalyst for this record was Detroit, and my thoughts on the world through the lens of Detroit. Watching everything go downhill over the past few years, the economy, the loss of jobs everywhere, I wanted to make a record that reflected the times but that still had soul."

The images projected on the screens behind him drilled the point home for us locals. Our Spirit of Detroit, the Joe Louis Fist, and the "Welcome to Michigan" sign were all featured prominently on the national stage.

I got goose bumps while watching, and from the look of my Twitter feed, I wasn’t the only one. Maybe, just maybe, people from around the country took notice of those images.

I also saw a few ‘Negative Nellies’ that wanted it made loud and clear that the Kid isn’t from Detroit. Yes, he grew up in Romeo and lives out in the suburbs. But, really? Does that matter?

Deny thy father and refuse thy name…

Kid Rock, and our other hometown boy Eminem, wear their love of Detroit on their shirtsleeves. That’s enough for me. They don’t deny where they are from but shout to the world that this city of ours has a lot to offer.

If Kid Rock sang about Romeo the ‘Negative Nellies’ would complain that he was turning his back on Detroit. And the rest of the world wouldn’t know what the heck he was talking about.

If you didn’t get a chance to see him on the AMA’s watch the video and let me know what you think.

Stay tuned to Detroit Moxie later in the week for more Kid Rock. I have an amazing opportunity on Wednesday to get a sneak peek of his halftime show for the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day game. The United Way for Southeastern Michigan is thanking its Super volunteers & advocates with this special treat and they invited me along. I might just get to meet him too!